Below are a number of government and research body studies on soil compaction and deep tillage.
This material has been compiled independently to provide you with credible, third-party information to better understand the impact of compaction on your paddock, crop, and soil quality.
We have no association with, nor do we provide any payment to the organisations responsible for this research.
AUSTRALIA
soilquality.org.au – “Subsurface Compaction” fact sheet (National Soil Quality Monitoring Program, GRDC-funded): https://www.soilquality.org.au/factsheets/subsurface-compaction — Good general explainer with references to peer-reviewed studies.
DPIRD (WA Dept of Primary Industries and Regional Development) – “Subsurface compaction: a guide for WA farmers and consultants” (Bulletin 4818): https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bulletins/202/ — A detailed guide on identifying and managing subsurface compaction, written specifically for farmers.
DPIRD – Managing Soils hub page: https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/environment-and-sustainability/soils/managing-soils/ — Links to multiple soil management and compaction resources.
GRDC (Grains Research & Development Corporation) – “Deep ripping: where it will work (and where it won’t)”: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/deep-ripping-where-it-will-work-and-where-it-wont — Summarises yield response data across different soil types.
GRDC – “Recommendations for deep ripping sandy soils”: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/recommendations-for-deep-ripping-sandy-soils — Practical findings on tine depth and spacing.
GRDC – “Subsoil compaction management: outcomes of five years of research in WA”: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/subsoil-compaction-management-outcomes-of-five-years-of-research-in-western-australia — Longer-term trial data on ripping depth and topsoil inclusion.
soilquality.org.au – “Subsurface Compaction” fact sheet (National Soil Quality Monitoring Program, GRDC-funded): https://www.soilquality.org.au/factsheets/subsurface-compaction — Good general explainer with references to peer-reviewed studies.
CSIRO/GISERA – Soil Compaction factsheet: https://gisera.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SoilCompaction_2ppFactsheet_WEB_170213.pdf — Independent research findings on compaction and water infiltration in Queensland soils.
“Soil Compaction” Technical Note No. 17: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/nrcs142p2_053258.pdf — Covers causes, effects on pore space, infiltration and erosion.
“Biology of Soil Compaction”: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/education-and-teaching-materials/biology-of-soil-compaction — Focuses on how compaction affects soil organisms and biological recovery.
“Managing Soil Compaction: Some Considerations”: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/plantmaterials/njpmctn12652.pdf — Practical management note from NRCS Plant Materials Program.
“Soil compaction from machinery”: https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/soil-compaction-from-machinery
“Soil compaction by livestock”: https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/soil-compaction-by-livestock
“Reducing emissions by alleviating soil compaction”: https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/reducing-emissions-by-alleviating-soil-compaction
“Soil management for horticulture” (GREATsoils programme guide): https://horticulture.ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/soil-management-for-horticulture
“Soil compaction – An unnecessary form of land degradation”: https://www.fao.org/family-farming/detail/en/c/330314/ — Short leaflet aimed at a general farming audience.
FAO Conservation Agriculture – Soil Organic Cover: https://www.fao.org/conservation-agriculture/in-practice/soil-organic-cover/en/ — Explains how organic matter and cover crops reduce compaction risk.