Louisiana Soybeans: Reduced Plant Growth Due To Soil Compaction
By David Moseley, Josh Copes and Bruce Garner
LSU AgCenter
A soybean field in West Carroll Parish with a poor growing area was investigated earlier this month. The visual observation showed mainly weeds growing in the suspect space surrounded by healthy soybean plants (Figure 1). There was prior knowledge of heavy equipment and supplies previously sitting in the weak area. A penetrometer (Figure 2) was used to compare the compaction in the two different growing areas. Approximately 175 psi was required to push through 2 inches of soil where healthy plants were growing, but between 250 and 300 psi was required in the poorly covered area.