This paper discusses recent progress with the refinement of promising methods, both direct and indirect, for measuring the severity of compaction in cracking clays used for irrigated cotton.

Obviously, avoiding trafficking wet soil is one means of avoiding soil structural damage. Another is to use a vehicle with lower ground pressure, by using dual tyres, wide tracks, etc.

This project was established to find a simple, repeatable and reliable technique or series of techniques for consultants, extension personnel and managers to use to assess soil structural conditions in the field.