Cropping systems and management practices might alter soil physical characteristics. This study evaluated soil physical attributes and plant root mass in forage cactus production system in the Brazilian semiarid. The cultivar evaluated was the forage cactus ‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ (Opuntia stricta Haw.) and treatments were allocated in split-split-plot in a randomized complete block design, in four experimental blocks. Physical parameters included soil bulk density (BD, g cm-3), weighted average diameter (WAD, mm), and geometric average diameter (GAD, mm) of soils and dry mass of plant roots. Samples were collected in layers 0- to 10- and 10- to 20-cm soil depth. The mean flocculation degree was 92.5 % in both experimental layers. Soil BD was reduced with increasing application of organic fertilizer in the 0- to 10- and 10- to 20-cm layers (p<0.05) and was below the critical limit in all treatments and depths evaluated. The absence of application of organic and nitrogen fertilization contributed to lesser root mass of ‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ in the 0- to 10-cm layer (p<0.05). The WAD values ranged from 2.61 to 3.18 mm, while GAD values ranged from 1.37 to 1.61 mm. Organic and nitrogen fertilization and cutting frequency biennial contribute to greater plant root mass at 0- to 10-cm depth.