In one aspect, a method for adjusting the down force applied to a row unit of an implement during the performance of a planting operation within a field may include receiving, by a computing device, soil composition data associated with a soil composition of soil within the field and determining a moisture content of the soil within the field. The method may also include calculating a soil plasticity factor associated with the soil within the field based on the soil composition data and the moisture content of the soil and adjusting a down force applied to at least one row unit of the implement based on the soil plasticity factor.