ploughable

Ploughable is an adjective used in agriculture and soil science to describe soil conditions that permit ploughing or tillage with conventional equipment. Ploughable soil can be turned over by a plough under usual field conditions when moisture, texture, and structure are favorable.

The ploughability of a soil depends largely on its moisture content, particle size distribution, organic matter, and horizon structure. Soils that are too wet tend to smear and form clods, while soils that are too dry are hard and resistant. In general, ploughable soils have moisture near field capacity with a friable, crumbly structure that allows penetration of a ploughblade without excessive power.

Certain factors reduce ploughability, including soil compaction, surface crusting, high clay content with low plasticity, salinity, and frozen or crusted surfaces. Subsoil layers can also limit the depth to which a plough can be effectively used. In practice, farmers or agronomists assess ploughability by feel or by simple penetrometer tests and choose timing and equipment accordingly.

The term is more commonly used in British English; American English tends to use "plowable." In technical contexts, discussions may refer to a "ploughing window"—the period when soil moisture and temperature are suitable for timely tillage.