Decompaction Techniques - LHAP 303

Slide 1 Decompaction Techniques Slide 2 Soil Compaction Review… It’s time to play: JEOPARDY!!!!! Slide 3 Slide 4 What effects does soil compaction have? Degrading or compromising the soil structure Increase the bulk density Decrease soil porosity Adversely affects Physical - structure Chemical - availability of nutrients Biological properties - microorganism Function of the soil Slide 5 Reduced plant growth, yield & quality Increase surface water run-off Soil erosion Excess salts cannot be leached out of the root zones Tree roots increase water saturation into groundwater Poor soil quality created by compaction inhibits tree roots saturation, increasing water runoff Slide 6 Tools to Measure Compaction Penetrometer Measures compressive strength of soil quickly and easily Penetrometer to measure soil compaction Shovel Simple tool to assess compaction Slide 7 What Prevention Strategies can we utilize? Slide 8 Slide 9 Equipment for Decompaction Large Scale Winged Subsoiler Pull-behind implement Decompact soil by inverting the topsoil Creates large gaps that allow deep penetration of water Will not break up clods if used on wet soil! (soil should be dry enough to create fractures and cracks rather than just grooves) Sumo Subsoiler Slide 10 Slide 11 Disc Tiller Favourable microsites are created for plant growth Breaks up and smooths out the surface Used to till soil where crops are going to be planted Can also be used to chop up unwanted weeds and crop remainders Shallow Tillage With Hiller Discs Slide 12 Straight Ripper Shank One or two vertically mounted Good for dry soils with low clay content Cross ripping on severely impacted sites 3-Shank Ripper Slide 13 Decompaction Equipment Small Scale Rototiller (front or rear tine) Versatile Incorporate amendments Break up clumps of soft, loamy soil Forward and reverse options Adjustable depth regulators Hydraulic options are best for really compacted soils Slide 14 Deep Tine Aeration Aeration Differences Slide 15 Tree Root & Air-spades High powered compressed air gun Excavates soil around trees Does not damage the roots Blasts away loose material Protects the delicate root tissue Slide 16 Uses for air spades: Root crown excavation Root girdling Air tilling Improve soil decompaction Root zone trenching Utilities or irrigation lines that need to be trenched around trees