1. College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant–Soil Interactions (Ministry of Education), China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China 2. College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
● Soil compaction due to intensive agriculture threatens soil quality, crop growth, and food security.
● Study explores the factors contributing to compaction, aiming to develop effective mitigation methods.
● The goal is to reduce soil compaction, improve soil quality, boost crop yield and enhance agricultural sustainability.
● Innovations needed to address soil compaction in modern agriculture.
With the development of agricultural technology to meet the growing demands of a rapidly increasing population and economic development, intensive agriculture practices have been widely adopted globally. However, this intensification has resulted in adverse consequences for soil structure due to intensified farming activities and increased usage of heavy farm machinery. Of particular concern is soil compaction, which leads to the degradation of physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Soil compaction negatively impacts crop growth, reduces yields and poses a significant threat to food security and the overall sustainability of agricultural systems. Recognizing these challenges, this review aims to deepen understanding of the factors contributing to soil compaction and to develop effective mitigation strategies. By doing so, it is intended to attenuate the adverse impacts of soil compaction, improve soil structure, increase crop yield and ultimately enhance the sustainability of agricultural practices.
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