What practice can help reduce subsurface compaction?

Increasing axle numbers on farm equipment can be an effective method to reduce subsurface compaction. This practice works by reducing the weight per axle when using larger numbers of axles; as a result, the pressure exerted on the soil is distributed over a larger area. When heavy equipment is used with fewer axles, concentrated weight can lead to the soil being compacted at deeper levels, which negatively affects root growth and water infiltration. By employing vehicles with more axles, farmers can mitigate this issue, hence maintaining soil structure and promoting better crop health.

It’s worth noting that the other choices might relate to soil management but do not directly address the issue of subsurface compaction as effectively. Reducing soil moisture, for example, can impact soil structure and stability but might not specifically target compaction caused by machinery. Adjusting crop rotation can enhance soil health and resilience but again does not directly resolve existing compaction from equipment. Land leveling is aimed at improving surface drainage and soil erosion but does not influence deep soil compaction created by the weight of machinery.