The ideal resistance of your top soil should be less than 200psi. Hard, compacted soil and hardpan which can be a very expensive problem for the farmer in the following ways:
* Water standing in fields delays planting.
* Delayed planting is a delayed harvest.
* May Stunt root growth to Reduces yields.
* Increases fuel costs from trying to break up hard soils.
* Adds stress on equipment.
* Poor seed germination.
* Poor root growth.
* Less air getting to the roots.
An operator pushes a rod with attached (ASAE standard) cone into the ground .Features a stainless steel rod with depth marks of 3,6,9,12,15 and 18inches. Analog gauge reacts to pressure applied to cone while penetrating soil.
If you are able to diagnose that you have a compacted soils problem using a penetrometer, then you can take measures to fix the problem by loosening and aerating your soil which will lead to.
* Easier tillage.
* Quicker seed emergence.
* Allows more air to get to the roots.
* Improved root growth (by breaking up compaction).
* Reduction in erosion.
* More uniform stands.
* Increased microbial activity, essential in providing healthy soils.
* Detoxifying soil for improved plant health.
* Improved water movement for reduced fungus problems.
* Less wear on equipment.
* Save on fuel.
* A more mellow loose soil.Soil Penetrometer, measure compaction and hardpan provides exactly what exactly you need.
- Stainless Steel Penetrometer. Measures compaction as a function of the soils resistance.
- Measure either 0-500 psi with the 3/4" tip or 0-1000 psi with the 1/2" tip.
- Features depth marks at depth marks of 3,6,9,12,15 and 18inches intervals to see where hardpan starts
- Soil compaction is very expensive, diagnosing is first step to fixing the problem.
- This penetrometer is one of the most useful tools for judging soil quality.