A 12 month compaction study examining how effective this is and how long does this actually last on a heavily used oval. The results question current compaction relief frequency

1. Jerry Spencer Gilba Solutions Pty Ltd P.O. Box 45 Maroubra NSW 2350
ABN 87163656228 ACN 163 656 228 Tel: 0499 975819 Fax: 02 9349 5837
e-mail: herbycides@gmail.com
Page1
INTRODUCTION
A 12 month study was instigated to investigate the following:
1. How does usage impact on ground compaction?
2. What are the most effective strategies for alleviating compaction; vertidraining or hollow tine
aeration?
3. How effective are these approaches?
4. How long does compaction relief actually persist for when the ground is subjected to constant use?
Results
Initial examination revealed the presence of both surface and deep seated compaction on the site which was
resulting in poor drainage and surface water after rainfall.
Compaction studies were initially carried in August 2014. A programme of both hollow tine and vertidraining
was adopted and further analysis was carried out in October 2014.
In January 2015 compaction studies were continued with and showed that there had been (not surprisingly) a
detrimental impact from the site being used as a car park.
In April 2015 analysis showed the effects of usage with no aeration having been carried out since January 2015
An upper soil strength limit of 2000KPa was adopted as being the upper desirable limit above which root
growth is impacted.

2. Jerry Spencer Gilba Solutions Pty Ltd P.O. Box 45 Maroubra NSW 2350
ABN 87163656228 ACN 163 656 228 Tel: 0499 975819 Fax: 02 9349 5837
e-mail: herbycides@gmail.com
Page2
26%
62%
8.50% 4.20% 4.20%
67%
80%
10.00% 15.00%
23.60%
93% 95%
40.00%
62.50% 63.50%
100% 100%
60.00%
78.00%
97.00%99% 99%
73.00%
90.00%
99.00%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
Compaction readings
above 2000KPa before
aeration
Compaction readings
above 2000KPa October
10th post car park
Compaction readings
above 2000KPa January
2015 post aeration
Compaction readings
above 2000KPa April 1st
2015 post aeration
Compaction readings
above 2000KPa June 1st
2016 no aeration
Graph showingreductionin readingsover 2000KPa thresholdover time at varying depths
Surface 25mm 50mm 75mm 100mm
26%
67%
93%
100% 99%
62%
80%
95%
100%
99%
4.20%
15.00%
62.50%
78.00%
90.00%
4.20%
23.60%
63.50%
97.00% 99.00%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
Surface 25mm 50mm 75mm 100mm
Graph showingreductionin readingsover 2000KPa thresholdover time at varying depths
Compaction readings above 2000KPa before aeration
Compaction readings above 2000KPa October 10th post car park
Compaction readings above 2000KPa January 2015 post aeration
Compaction readings above 2000KPa April 1st 2015 post aeration
Compaction readings above 2000KPa June 1st 2016 no aeration

3. Jerry Spencer Gilba Solutions Pty Ltd P.O. Box 45 Maroubra NSW 2350
ABN 87163656228 ACN 163 656 228 Tel: 0499 975819 Fax: 02 9349 5837
e-mail: herbycides@gmail.com
Page3
Graphical representation of comparative results before aeration (August), after aeration on October 10th
,
January 29th
and April 1st
2015
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
surface 25mm 50mm 75mm 100mm
KPa
Minimum compaction reading before and after aeration
Before aeration
After aeration
Jan-15
April 1st
June 1st
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
surface 25mm 50mm 75mm 100mm
KPa
Maximum compaction reading before and after aeration
Before aeration
After aeration
Jan-15
April 1st
June 1st
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
surface 25mm 50mm 75mm 100mm
KPa
Mean compaction reading beforeand after aeration
Before aeration
After aeration
Jan-15
April 1st
June 1st
The images opposite showed how
compaction varies over time as one
moves from the surface to a 100mm
depth.
Initial measurements were taken in
August 2014.
Between August and October the entire
site was vertidrained.
The entire site was vertidrained in
January and half the site was 25mm
hollow tined prior to retesting in
January.
Prior to testing in October the entire
site was used as a car park

4. Jerry Spencer Gilba Solutions Pty Ltd P.O. Box 45 Maroubra NSW 2350
ABN 87163656228 ACN 163 656 228 Tel: 0499 975819 Fax: 02 9349 5837
e-mail: herbycides@gmail.com
Page4
Compaction maps at the surface pre and post aeration (red excessive compaction)
Compaction maps at 25mm depth pre and post aeration (red excessive compaction)

5. Jerry Spencer Gilba Solutions Pty Ltd P.O. Box 45 Maroubra NSW 2350
ABN 87163656228 ACN 163 656 228 Tel: 0499 975819 Fax: 02 9349 5837
e-mail: herbycides@gmail.com
Page5
Compaction maps at 50 mm depth pre and post aeration (red excessive compaction)
Compaction maps at 75 mm depth pre and post aeration (red excessive compaction)

6. Jerry Spencer Gilba Solutions Pty Ltd P.O. Box 45 Maroubra NSW 2350
ABN 87163656228 ACN 163 656 228 Tel: 0499 975819 Fax: 02 9349 5837
e-mail: herbycides@gmail.com
Page6
Compaction maps at 100 mm depth pre and post aeration (red excessive compaction)

7. Jerry Spencer Gilba Solutions Pty Ltd P.O. Box 45 Maroubra NSW 2350
ABN 87163656228 ACN 163 656 228 Tel: 0499 975819 Fax: 02 9349 5837
e-mail: herbycides@gmail.com
Page7
RESULTS
Vertidraining does not appear to be as effective as hollow tine aeration in alleviating surface compaction.
Continued usage can completely counter any work carried out and compaction relief should be regarded as
an ongoing process rather than a ‘’one off’’ treatment.
A combination of vertidraining and hollow tine aeration gives far better results than any one stand-alone
treatment.
Even after aeration work there are going to be areas above acceptable levels i.e. 2000KPa which further
supports any ongoing programme
The dual approach (vertidraining and hollow tine aeration) although significantly reducing compaction do
not appear at this stage to have addressed in their entirety deep seated levels below 50mm
Using grounds as car parks has a major detrimental impact on soil compaction!!

8. Jerry Spencer Gilba Solutions Pty Ltd P.O. Box 45 Maroubra NSW 2350
ABN 87163656228 ACN 163 656 228 Tel: 0499 975819 Fax: 02 9349 5837
e-mail: herbycides@gmail.com
Page8
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