Importance of soil structure in agriculture:
Structure modifies the influence of texture with regards to water and air relationships and the ease of soil penetration.
- Influence soil aeration; the more the aggregates formation, the more air in functions.
- Influence infiltration; In granular & crumb soils, there is high infiltration; In blocky structured soils, poor infiltration due to compactness of blocky aggregates.
- Resists soil erosion due to formation of soil aggregates.
- Good seed bed preparation: In spheroidal soils, better growth of plant due to better root penetration especially for potato, sugar beet, maize etc.
- Good soil structure serves as corridors (path) for root extension & pathways for small animals.