Soil aeration

Soil aeration is the exchange and movement of gases through soil pores. It supplies oxygen to roots and soil organisms while allowing carbon dioxide to escape.

Soil porosity: Soil porosity is the fraction of soil volume occupied by pores rather than solid particles. Pore volume sets the space available for air movement.
Soil drainage: Soil drainage is the removal or movement of excess water from soil. Removing excess water opens pore space to air.
Soil structure: Soil structure is the arrangement of soil particles into aggregates and the pores between them. Aggregate arrangement shapes the pathways through which soil air moves.
Waterlogging: Waterlogging is the saturation of soil with water for long enough to restrict air-filled pore space. Waterlogging is a common cause of inadequate soil aeration.
Soil water content: Soil water content is the amount of water held in soil, expressed by mass or volume. Water fills pores that would otherwise carry air.
Subsurface drainage: Subsurface drainage uses buried pipes or channels to lower soil water levels. It can improve aeration in persistently waterlogged root zones.
Soil texture: Soil texture is the relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay in a soil. Particle-size composition influences pore sizes and water retention.
Soil hypoxia: Soil hypoxia is a condition in which oxygen concentration in soil is too low for normal biological activity. It is a direct biological consequence of insufficient aeration.
Gas diffusion: Gas diffusion is the net movement of gas molecules from regions of higher concentration to lower concentration. Diffusion moves oxygen and carbon dioxide through connected soil pores.
Tillage: Tillage is the mechanical disturbance of soil to prepare seedbeds or manage crops. Tillage can temporarily loosen soil and increase air-filled pore space.

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