Soil structure describes how mineral particles and organic matter are arranged to form aggregates, as well as how pore spaces are arranged within and between aggregates. Soil structure is the clods and aggregates that you can see rather than soil texture which you can feel. Soils with degraded structure can result in low yields and are difficult to manage due to a restricted range of soil wetness for tillage operations. If a soil has poor structure this can lead to problems with drainage due to the blocking of soil pores resulting in a decrease in the rate at which water can infiltrate the soil and drain through the soil. Compaction can lead to reduced aeration when wet, particularly on heavier textured soils such as Ferrosols, resulting in restricted volumes of soil available for root growth. The ability of plants to penetrate the soil is also reduced when structure is poor, which affects access to both soil nutrients and moisture, and so crop yields. Soil compaction leading to increased soil strength can limit plant growth by restricting root elongation as well as limiting the range of tillage options for soil preparation. Poorly structured soils are more likely to form a surface crust after heavy rainfall
and are more easily eroded by wind or water.

View All Fact Sheets