The causes, adverse effects and control of soil compaction, with special reference to Southern African conditions, are reviewed. The main causes for soil compaction are the well-rounded and -sorted fine sand fraction of the aeolian sandy soils combined with compression by soil tillage equipment. Layers with high penetration resistance decrease rooting depth and density which lead to a reduction in plant nutrient uptake, water uptake and water-use efficiency. A system of deep tillage combined with controlled wheel traffic to predetermined lanes is recommended as a measure of control.S. Air. J. Plant Soil1985, 2:109–114