Certified Crop Advisor Practice Exam

What practice, when maintained on the surface, helps to reduce surface compaction?

1. Heavy tillage

2. Deep plowing

3. Light tillage

4. Full evaporation

The correct answer is: Light tillage

Maintaining light tillage on the surface is effective in reducing surface compaction because it helps to disturb the soil only minimally, promoting the development of a healthy soil structure without causing excessive disruption. Light tillage can improve aeration, enhance water infiltration, and stimulate microbial activity while preserving soil aggregates. This practice minimizes the risk of creating a dense layer in the soil profile that can lead to compaction, allowing roots to penetrate more easily and enhancing overall plant growth. In contrast, heavy tillage and deep plowing can lead to soil disturbance that exacerbates compaction issues by breaking down soil structure and creating a layer of compacted soil beneath the surface. Full evaporation is not relevant to the compaction issue, as it pertains more to moisture management rather than soil structure or compaction specifically. Therefore, light tillage stands out as the most suitable practice to maintain surface conditions that reduce soil compaction.