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When soil becomes compacted the pore-space between the soil particles is reduced or removed entirely.

Smaller (or no) pore spaces means that oxygen levels in the soil are decreased - almost 80% of a plants oxygen is obtained through exchange in the roots.

Smaller (or no) pore spaces in the soil results in saturated or waterlogged soil, this in turn exacerbates the low oxygen levels by forcing even more air from the soil.

The combination of low oxygen levels in the soil as well as the possibility of waterlogged soils results in the root system of the plant becoming compromised. Once the roots or root hairs are damaged the plant is not able to absorb water, nutrients or oxygen.

General symptoms include wilting of the plant (as the root system is damaged and cannot absorb water), yellowing or basal leaves as the root membranes become damaged and osmosis cannot occur.

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14y ago

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