Abstract Mechanical methods implemented to solve drainage issues caused by compacted layers in cultivated organic soils have produced only short‐term improvements. Limited research has been conducted on biological methods, particularly the use of plants as biological subsoilers. Consequently, this study aimed to assess the impact of willow ( Salix viminalis L.) rotation of varying duration on improving saturated hydraulic conductivity ( K sat ) under two soil degradation conditions and to determine the duration of these effects following the removal of willow plants. K sat was measured at various sites with willow rotations spanning 3–6 years to assess the rate of improvement. To determine the duration of the effects after the removal of willow plants, measurements of water table position and key soil physical properties ( K sat , bulk density, air‐filled porosity, and total porosity) were conducted for 5 and 3 years, respectively, in treatments where willow was removed after a 2‐year rotation. In addition, water table drawdown was predicted over a 24‐h period using the HYDRUS‐2D model and the Hooghoudt equation. Highly degraded soils with a shallow peat layer showed a significant improvement in K sat over a longer period of willow rotation compared to cultivated soil with a thicker peat layer. Moreover, K sat and air‐filled porosity remained significantly higher even 3 years after willow removal following a 2‐year rotation, with drainage rates exceeding 30 cm day −1 . This positive effect on drainage persisted for at least 4 years following willow destruction. Hence, short‐ to medium‐term willow rotation shows potential for improving soil physical properties and drainage in cultivated organic soils with a compact layer.
Lara et al. (Sun,) studied this question.