Bulk density
Bulk density is how tight the soil is. A hoe that will not enter asks this before hunger.
Speed
- Bulk density is how tight the soil is.
- A hoe that will not enter asks this before hunger.
- High bulk density in the tilled layer means compaction.
- Organic matter lowers it slowly.
How it appears on the sheet
How heavy a given volume of soil is. High in the tilled layer means compaction.
A sketch. Do not fertilise from the picture alone.Common units
Often g/cm³. High in the tilled layer means tight.
How to read the number
How heavy a given volume of soil is. High in the tilled layer means compaction. Wheelings, tilling wet, and yearly rotavating lift it. Organic matter lowers it slowly.
Porosity is the other face: high bulk density, few pores. Bulk density is how tight the soil is. A hoe that will not enter asks this before hunger.
Thresholds only, not a prescription. Rates live in the field guide. This page does not hand you a bag count.
What it looks like in the field
How heavy a given volume of soil is. High in the tilled layer means compaction.
Don’t do this
- Driving on wet soil until the road dies.
- Sideways roots chased with fertiliser.
- Porosity is the other face: high bulk density, few pores. Not two unrelated words.