Soil compaction

Soil is made up of organic and mineral particles and in between these particles are tiny air pockets containing water, soil microbes and fauna. These are essential components for healthy soil and root and crop development.

When soil is compacted, the air pockets are squeezed out, compressing the particles closer together making it firmer and more difficult to penetrate. This in turn creates a hostile environment for roots and soil fauna.

In this podcast, Wayne Parker, from Western Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Soil Compaction project leader, talks to Lucinda Jose about the causes of soil compaction and the outcomes from the Soil Constraints West project that growers can adopt to improve their soils.

Contact information

Wayne Parker
Leader of the Soil Compaction Project
Soil Constraints West Initiative
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
20 Gregory St., Geraldton WA 6530

m: 0429 080 074
email: wayne.parker@dpird.wa.gov.au

Useful Resources

• AGRIC Managing soils
• AGRIC Managing soils > water repellence
• AGRIC Managing soils > soil compaction
• AGRIC Managing soils > soil acidity
• GRDC Initiatives > Non-wetting soils
• www.ctfcalculator.org