Decompaction Techniques - LHAP 303

1. Decompaction Techniques

2. Soil Compaction Review…

It’s time to play: JEOPARDY!!!!!

3. 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

4. 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

5. Tools to Measure Compaction

• Penetrometer

Measures compressive strength of soil quickly and easily

Penetrometer to measure soil compaction Shovel Simple tool to assess compaction

6. What Prevention Strategies can we utilize?

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Deep Tine Aeration

• Aeration Differences

12. 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

13. 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