RELATIVE MEASURES OF SOIL BULK-DENSITY TO CHARACTERIZE COMPACTION IN TILLAGE STUDIES ON FINE SANDY LOAMS

Field studies concerned with soil physical properties require methods to quantify and characterize soil compaction, especially for tillage experiments. The bulk densities of a Charlottetown and Gowanbrae fine sandy loam were related to a maximum or standard compaction state for each soil to obtain a measure of relative compaction. Relative compaction was closely related to the volume of macropores (r2 = 0.85). Over a 3-yr period, mouldboard ploughing loosened the soil to give an average relative compaction of 77%. Subsequent soil consolidation and settling increased relative compaction to 84% over the growing season. Direct-drilling maintained relative compaction at a limited range of 88-91%. A relative compaction of 84-89% was considered the equilibrium soil density level for the two soils under study. -from Author