Matt here, I should point out that while in 2019 we saw relationship between soil consistency and yield, this may have been due to factors other than soil consistency. We are sure that there are subsoil constraints that may limit root growth and water availability to dry farmed crops, some that are identified in the literature are high clay content, waterlogging, poor aeration, and soil strength, but many of these factors are interrelated/correlated with soil consistency. So many of the soils that we examined with a firm consistency were also waterlogged, had a high clay content, and had high soil strength. Additionally, other potential subsoil constraints that we have identified are soil pH and fertility.
Matt here, I should point out that while in 2019 we saw relationship between soil consistency and yield, this may have been due to factors other than soil consistency. We are sure that there are subsoil constraints that may limit root growth and water availability to dry farmed crops, some that are identified in the literature are high clay content, waterlogging, poor aeration, and soil strength, but many of these factors are interrelated/correlated with soil consistency. So many of the soils that we examined with a firm consistency were also waterlogged, had a high clay content, and had high soil strength. Additionally, other potential subsoil constraints that we have identified are soil pH and fertility.