Soil amendment

Building better soil structure

Soil amendments, sometimes called soil conditioners, are materials added to the soil to enhance structure and other soil properties that contribute to plant growth and health. GYPSOIL amends soils because it flocculates (attaches) soil clays leading to improved soil particle aggregation. Aggregates are the "clumps" of soil particles that are held together with moisture and organic compounds.

The aggregates are the building blocks in soil structure. Aggregation contributes to the soil's ability to transport water and air and it helps soils resist erosion and compaction. The most stable structure occurs when soil particles - the aggregates - are bound together tightly. This means they are clustered together without losing their individual integrity.

Certain soils - especially tight clay soils found in the Midwest - tend to be poorly flocculated and comprised of weak aggregates that are unstable and easily dispersed. These soils are easily eroded and highly compactible.  Following heavy rains, they may seal or crust at the surface. GYPSOIL helps form strong aggregates that resist compaction and surface crusting.

In the Mid-South region, where cropland tends to be high in silt and low in organic matter, soils are also prone to erosion and crusting.  In addition, Mid-South soils are often plagued with aluminum toxicity, limiting plant root growth. 

Coastal plains and Piedmont soils in the Southeast can also benefit from GYPSOIL applications. 

To learn more about GYPSOIL's impact on soil particle aggregation, download Dr. Jerry Bigham's presentation or watch the video from the 2013 Midwest Soil Improvement Symposium.