Translations:Benutzer:Arian/Klett-Mini-Test/823/en

Bacteria, bound together into colonies by the mucilaginous sheaths of their cell walls, form bridges between the soil particles. Smaller and larger cavities arise, the pore volume increases, the exchange of air and warmth in the rhythm of day and night intensifies, and the soil becomes receptive to sudden downpours. On closer inspection, however — where the furrow is still rough — the furrow-valleys are still dark, saturated with water; or, where the field was levelled in autumn by the plough's rear attachment, the subsoil proves too sensitive to pressure. Untimely soil cultivation — as a rule, too early — leaves irreversible compaction damage in the tractor tracks: soil development stagnates for the rest of the year. The situation is different with horse-drawn work. The localised pressure marks of the horses' hooves are soon restored again by microbial activity.