Maintaining Soil Quality

Soil structural quality is easier to maintain then regain. Additions of organic matter and crop rotations will reduce stress of intensive cropping and tillage. Variable depths of tillage will reduce the chance of plow-pans forming.

Excessive tillage combined with insufficient additions of organic matter can leave topsoil prone to crusting. Heavy traffic by equipment and poor timing of operations can lead to soil compaction. Crusted and compacted soils are more prone to erosion.

Poorly-structured soils are tightly compacted or form surface crusts.

Subsurface compaction can be corrected by deep-tillage practices. However there are several risks:

• subsoiling could bring unwanted materials to the surface (subsoil)
• the improved drainage and aeration effects are often temporary and difficult to justify. Growth of a deep-rooting cover crop may prolong the effectiveness.
• if done at the wrong time, compaction may be made worse.
• soil structure cannot be improved by 'subsoiling'.

Well-planned crop rotations is one of the simplest and best ways to prevent problems with soil structure.  It will also help to break pest and disease cycles, and will spread out seasonal workload and risk.

Refer to the BMP books for further information:

• Field Crop Production
• Horticultural Crops
• Soil Management
• No-Till: Making It Work

Best Management Practices: A First Look