No-tillage is the preferred method of crop production for most Kentucky farmers. No-tillage has been proven to increase soil quality and decrease the risk of soil compaction as compared to crop production using annual tillage. However, with the use of heavy farm equipment, soil compaction is always a threat with either tillage or no-tillage. The possibility of soil compaction and its effect on crop production is a constant concern to
many farmers using no-tillage. If soil compaction occurs, is there a difference between the two tillage systems on how it affects crop production and the recovery of the soil with and without subsoil tillage? The following study was conducted to help producers and advisors understand soil compaction and its effects on corn and soybean production as well as the ability of the two tillage systems to recover from soil compaction.