In some cases, higher bulk densities under CA have been observed. However, this can be corrected by controlling traffic and limiting the number of passes over agricultural fields, particularly when soils are wet and most prone to compaction. for animal powered and manual systems, compaction would be less than where full tillage is given. Compared to conventional tillage , which often requires multiple passes of a tractor during a typical growing season, CA uses many fewer passes, thereby helping to reduce compaction issues in the long run. Perhaps even more important than measuring the bulk densities of particular soils is looking at other indicators of a healthy soil, including aggregate stability, porosity and biological activity among others. Soils under CA are typically much healthier than tilled soils due to lack of soil disturbance and the building up of soil organic matter (SOM). Earthworm and previous crop root channels are also not disturbed in CA system and these act as very good soil pores for drainage of water. However, infiltration of water in CA system is greater than conventionally tilled plots as long as Zero Tillage is combined with residue cover.
Conservation agriculture reduces compaction and crusting of agricultural soils.
https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/112/01/0052.pdf
CA reduces compaction as well as bulk density due to incorporation of organics in soil that leads to improve microbial activity which ultimately leads to decrease compaction and bulk density and increase aggregate stability by secreting organic acids and other substances like glomalin secreted by fungus ...
Conservation agriculture mainly focuses on three basic principles viz. Parmanent soil organic cover, least mechanical soil disturbance and diversification of the crops in a system.. parmanent soil organic cover will give greater microbial mass whereby good aggregation and improved soil physical conditions like friability and pore size distribution of the soil...By this process, soil may become aggregated (increased volume) resulting in reduction in bulk density thus reducing the probability of the chances of compection... Diversification of th crops like inclusion of legume, oilseeds, pulses, and other cereals to sustain ecology, and farmers economic feasibility..
Yes but upto some extent which is far better than disturbing soil by heavy traffic in which soil is forcefully compacted.
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