Artificial macropores increase crop productivity through improved root access to subsoils

Aims Soil compaction negatively impacts key soil functions, notably by restricting root access to nutrients and water reserves in subsoils, resulting in decreased yields. We assessed how vertical artificial macropores can enhance root depth distribution and yield. Methods Two randomized, fourfold-replicated field trials were established on a loamy sand and a silt loam. Artificial macropores (10 mm in diameter) were manually created to a depth of 80 cm at densities of 50, 100, and 200 pores per square meter. Root depth distribution was analyzed using convolutional neural network-based image analysis in two years. Results 100 artificial pores per square meter increased grain yield by 12% at the loamy sand and by 3% at the silt loam site. Yield gains were more pronounced at the loamy sand site with higher compaction intensity and during the drier year 2025. Artificial pores significantly enhanced root distribution below the plough horizon across sites, increasing root length density by 120 ± 28% in the 50–80 cm layer and by 101 ± 34% in the 80–100 cm layer in the artificial pore section. Artificial macropores were more attractive to roots, with higher colonization of roots (86 ± 1%) compared to biopores (72 ± 1%). Anecic earthworms appeared in artificial pores in the sampling year 2024. Conclusion Our findings suggest that artificial macropores constitute a new subsoil melioration strategy by enabling roots to bypass compacted soil layers and penetrate deeper into the subsoil while enhancing plant productivity and drought resilience.