Deep ripping of pastures
Management Activity
Deep ripping involves disturbing the soil below the normal cultivation layer without inversion to break up traffic-induced or naturally occuring compaction layers. The effectiveness of deep ripping depends on soil texture, soil profile, soil moisture content, compaction depth, compaction extent and ripper tine spacing. Where deep ripping is effective it can increase root penetration, plant access to soil nutrients, water inflitration and plant available water. Deep ripping is not a permanent cure for compaction, if the cause of the compaction continues to act on the area the soil will become compacted once again.
The direct impacts of deep ripping of pastures may include:
- Reduced soil compaction
- Changed deep drainage
- Increased plant available water
- Increased decompostion of soil organic matter
- Increased vegetative growth
- Increased greenhouse gas emissions
Last updated 7 September 2010
