Subsoil compaction and methods of alleviation-A review

Mechanisation in most parts of the world is viewed with concern because of soil damage it causes due to movement of heavy machinery. Surface compaction can be alleviated by annual tillage but subsoil compaction is complex and expensive to alleviate. Heavy axle load causes increasing and deeper subsoil compaction irrespective of soil contact pressure and can persistfor 3 to 4 years or more, which would ultimately lead to yield losses over the years. Alleviation of subsoil compaction would be possible through special tillage techniques like subsoiling, which has given substantial increase in yields due to improvement in soil structure and rooting conditions. With the increasing level of mechanisation in India, there is a need to introduce deep loosening tyned equipment to meet the potential threat of subsoil compaction. The causes of subsoil compaction and its effect on soil and crop response as well as the methods of alleviation have been critically reviewed.