While soil was designed to act as a living organism or sponge, the use of chemicals, insecticides and current planting and tilling practices have compacted the soil, and destroyed the living microorganisms in it. As a result, our natural infrastructure has become impenetrable and ineffective in growing nutrient-rich food or weathering floods and droughts. This results in problems in Aquifer recharge due to Soil Compaction. Soil compaction in simple terms means, Soil has turned into Stone, no longer a sponge to hold water. Over 95% of urban landmass have problems with soil compaction. We have all seen the results, ‘No water in borewells’, ‘Bengaluru is running out of Ground water’

Conventional wisdom says, Soil Compaction is a physical problem. Result of which we over till the soil. But, soil compaction is not a physical problem, it is rather a biological issue. Soil microbes are responsible for stable soil aggregate structure and soil buildup. Also in urban landscapes there is a problem with micro plastics and micro concrete materials.

Reversing soil compaction needs a very methodical approach. It involves chemicals, microbes, fungi and organic matter. As leading researcher in this field, Jerry Brunetti says, ”One way to address soil compaction issues is to apply soil amendments that accelerate flocculation of clay particles in the soil. Amendments with high water-soluble calcium levels and humates are recommended.”