Crumbling
Definition
Crumbling indicates the ease with which the soil can be crumbled and depends on the mutual bonding of soil particles.
Importance
In heavy clay soil, crumbling can be so bad that the soil starts to resemble concrete. Crumbly soil can be worked well and it is easier to create a good seedbed. There are also fewer problems with hard clods or smearing soil.
The crumbling of a soil is determined by its clay content, pH and organic matter percentage. Heavy clay soils are less crumbly than sandy and loam soils. Increasing the organic matter content makes the soil rougher and improves crumbling.
