Study Illustrates Impact of Tillage on Soil Water Retention

University of Washington researchers examined the impact of tilling on soil moisture and water retention using methods originally designed for monitoring earthquakes. Their research, conducted in the United Kingdom and published in Science, shows that tilling and compaction disrupt intricate capillary networks within the soil that give it a natural sponge-like quality. The scientists used a seismic-sensing technique called distributed acoustic sensing that records ground motion based on strain in a fiber optic cable network. They say that the method is straightforward, inexpensive, and offers far better spatial and temporal resolution than previous monitoring tools, so it could help farmers monitor and manage their land.

Related ATTRA publication: Reducing Tillage Intensity in Organic Production Systems