Assessing Soil Compaction Through Bulk Density and Porosity: Study case in Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Agronomy
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Iin Handayani
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Assessing Soil Compaction Through Bulk Density and Porosity:
Study case in Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois
Jenna Grab
Mentor: Dr. Iin P. Handayani, Ph.D.
Huston School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Kentucky, USA
ABSTRACT
Assessing soil compaction is important for determining soil health. The objective of this study was to determine whether bulk density and porosity are inversely correlated in the selected study sites. This inverse relationship shows the compaction level of the soil. Not only do porosity and bulk density play a key role in compaction, but soil organic matter (SOM) is also closely related to compaction. If the soil is compacted, there is low pore space. Pore space can be increased by reducing tillage and leaving crop residue on the surface of the soil. Residue can be increased by adding cover crops, which will eventually turn into soil organic matter. For this study, soil samples were taken in Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois, from the top 7.5 centimeters of the soil in the A horizon. Western Kentucky soils averaged 44.81% porosity, while Southern Illinois soils averaged 43.17%. Kentucky turf has a high porosity of 50.35% with a relatively low bulk density of 1.32g/cm3. Porosity and bulk density are inversely related, showing that the soil is well-aggregated and not compacted. Whereas, Kentucky corn has a low porosity of 40.26% and a relatively high bulk density of 1.58 g/cm3. Kentucky corn experiences high compaction, indicating that the soil is unhealthy and likely to yield less.
Keywords: Bulk density, Compaction, Porosity, Illinois, Kentucky
Spring Scholars Week 2026
Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Assessing Soil Compaction Through Bulk Density and Porosity: Study case in Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois
Assessing Soil Compaction Through Bulk Density and Porosity:
Study case in Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois
Jenna Grab
Mentor: Dr. Iin P. Handayani, Ph.D.
Huston School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Kentucky, USA
ABSTRACT
Assessing soil compaction is important for determining soil health. The objective of this study was to determine whether bulk density and porosity are inversely correlated in the selected study sites. This inverse relationship shows the compaction level of the soil. Not only do porosity and bulk density play a key role in compaction, but soil organic matter (SOM) is also closely related to compaction. If the soil is compacted, there is low pore space. Pore space can be increased by reducing tillage and leaving crop residue on the surface of the soil. Residue can be increased by adding cover crops, which will eventually turn into soil organic matter. For this study, soil samples were taken in Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois, from the top 7.5 centimeters of the soil in the A horizon. Western Kentucky soils averaged 44.81% porosity, while Southern Illinois soils averaged 43.17%. Kentucky turf has a high porosity of 50.35% with a relatively low bulk density of 1.32g/cm3. Porosity and bulk density are inversely related, showing that the soil is well-aggregated and not compacted. Whereas, Kentucky corn has a low porosity of 40.26% and a relatively high bulk density of 1.58 g/cm3. Kentucky corn experiences high compaction, indicating that the soil is unhealthy and likely to yield less.
Keywords: Bulk density, Compaction, Porosity, Illinois, Kentucky