Using soil organic matter fractions as indicators of soil physical quality

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of chemical and physical fractions of soil organic matter (SOM ), rather than SOM per se , as indicators of soil physical quality (SPQ ) based on their effect on aggregate stability (AS ). Chemically extracted humic and fulvic acids (HA and FA ) were used as chemical fractions, and heavy and light fractions (HF and LF ) obtained by density separation as physical fractions. The analyses were conducted on medium‐textured soils from tropical and temperate regions under cropland and pasture. Results show that soil organic carbon (SOC ), SOM fractions and AS appear to be affected by land use regardless of the origin of the soils. A general separation of structurally stable and unstable soils between samples of large and small SOC content, respectively, was observed. SOM fractions did not show a better relationship with AS than SOC per se . In both geographical regions, soils under cropland showed the smallest content of SOC , HA and carbon concentration in LF and HF , and the largest HF /LF ratio (proportion of the HF and LF in percent by mass of bulk soil). With significant associations between AS and SOC content (0.79**), FA /SOC (r  = −0.83*^*), HA /FA (r  = 0.58*^*), carbon concentration of LF (r  = 0.69*^*) and HF (r  = 0.70*^*) and HF /LF ratio (r  = 0.80*^*), cropland showed lowest AS . These associations indicate that SOM fractions provide information about differences in SOM quality in relation to AS and SPQ of soils from tropical and temperate regions under cropland and pasture.     

A study of the effects of land use changes on soil physical properties and organic matter

Changes in land use can significantly affect soil properties. This study was conducted in the Taleghan watershed of Tehran Province, Iran, to determine the effects of land use changes on soil organic matter (SOM) and soil physical properties including soil aggregate stability, saturated hydraulic conductivity, infiltration rate, available water content, total porosity and bulk density (BD). In the present study, two sites contained adjacent land uses of natural pasture and dryland farming were selected. Soil samples were taken from depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm for each land use. The results indicated that the conversion of natural pasture to dryland farming led to a significant decrease in SOM at 0–30 cm in the first and second sites (24.7 and 44.2%, respectively). In addition, a significant increase in BD was observed at a depth of 0–30 cm in dryland farm soils (1.39 g cm^–3) compared to pastureland (1.20 g cm^–3) at the first site. An increase in BD was also observed at the same depth of dryland farm soils (1.46 g cm^–3) and pastureland soils (1.42 g cm^–3) at the second site. In addition, total porosity, mean‐weight diameter of aggregates, saturated hydraulic conductivity, available water content and estimated final infiltration rate showed significant differences between land uses. The results showed that the conversion of natural pasture to dryland farming alters soil properties that negatively affect soil productivity and erodibility. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Predicting soil N mineralization: Relevance of organic matter fractions and soil properties

Distinct extractable organic matter (EOM) fractions have been used to assess the capacity of soils to supply nitrogen (N). However, substantial uncertainty exists on their role in the N cycle and their functional dependency on soil properties. We therefore examined the variation in mineralizable N and its relationship with EOM fractions, soil physical and chemical properties across 98 agricultural soils with contrasting inherent properties and management histories. Mineralizable N was determined by aerobic incubation at 20 °C and optimum moisture content for 20 weeks. We used multivariate statistical modelling to account for multi-collinearity, an issue generally overlooked in studies evaluating the predictive value of EOM fractions. Mineralization of N was primarily related to the size of OM pools and fractions present; they explained 78% of the variation in mineralizable N whereas other soil variables could explain maximally 8%. Both total and extractable OM expressed the same soil characteristic from a mineralization perspective; they were positively related to mineralizable N and explained a similar percentage of the variation in mineralizable N. Inclusion of mineralizable N in fertilizer recommendation systems should be based on at least one OM variable. The most appropriate EOM fraction can only be identified when the underlying mechanisms are known; regression techniques are not suitable for this purpose. Combination of single EOM fractions is not likely to improve the prediction of mineralizable N due to high multi-collinearity. Inclusion of texture-related soil variables or variables reflecting soil organic matter quality may be neglected due to their limited power to improve the prediction of mineralizable N.     

Long-term effects of mineral and organic fertilization on soil organic matter fractions and sorghum yield under Sudano-Sahelian conditions

Abstract. Knowledge of changes in soil organic matter (SOM) fractions resulting from agricultural practice is important for decision‐making at farm level because of the contrasting effects of different SOM fractions on soils. A long‐term trial sited under Sudano‐Sahelian conditions was used to assess the effect of organic and inorganic fertilization on SOM fractions and sorghum performance. Sorghum straw and kraal manure were applied annually at 10 t ha^?1, with and without urea at 60 kg N ha^?1. The other treatments included fallowing, a control (no fertilization), and inorganic fertilization only (urea, 60 kg N ha^?1). Fallowing gave significantly larger soil organic carbon and nitrogen (N) levels than any other treatment. Total soil SOM and N concentrations increased in the following order: urea only < straw < control < straw+urea < manure with or without urea < fallow. Farming had an adverse effect on SOM and N status; however, this mostly affected the fraction of SOM >0.053 mm (particulate organic matter, POM). The POM concentrations in the control, straw and urea‐only treatments were about one‐half of the POM concentrations in the fallow treatment. POM concentrations increased in the following order: urea only < control < straw with or without urea < manure with or without urea < fallow. The fraction of SOM <0.053 mm (fine organic matter, FOM) was greater than POM in all plots except in fallow and manure+urea plots. Total N concentration followed the same trend as SOM, but cultivation led to a decline in both POM‐N and FOM‐N. Crop yield was greatest in the manure plots and lowest in the straw, control and urea‐only plots. Results indicate that under Sudano‐Sahelian conditions, SOM, POM and FOM fractions and crop performance were better maintained using organic materials with a low C/N ratio (manure) than with organic material with a high C/N ratio (straw). Urea improved the effect of straw on crop yield and SOM concentration.     

Effect of organic matter on changes in soil zinc fractions found in wetland soils

Abstract

Zinc fractions occurring in five wetland soils as a function of organic matter application and soil redox potential were studied under laboratory conditions. The results indicate that a large portion of native or added Zn is bound to the soil mineral component. Exchangeable and organic complexed Zn and Zn bound to amorphous and crystalline sesquioxides were found to be in dynamic equilibrium. Exchangeable and complexed Zn were positively correlated with both native and/or added organic matter, while Zn bound to the amorphous and crystalline sesquioxides were negatively correlated with added organic matter. As soil redox potential decreased, the amount of exchangeable and organic complexed Zn decreased, while Zn bound to the amorphous and crystalline sesquioxides increased. Zinc fractions examined varied, depending upon soil cation exchange capacity, clay and organic carbon content.     

Tillage effects on maize yield in a Colombian savanna oxisol: Soil organic matter and P fractions

Soil organic matter (SOM) and phosphorus (P) fractions play a key role in sustaining the productivity of acid-savanna oxisols and are greatly influenced by tillage practices. In 1993, a long-term experiment on sustainable crop rotation and ley farming systems was initiated on a Colombian acid-savanna oxisol to test the effects of grain legumes, green manures, intercrops and leys as possible components that could increase the stability of systems involving annual cereal crops. Five agropastoral treatments (maize monoculture—MMO, maize–soybean rotation—MRT, maize–soybean green manure rotation—MGM, native savanna control—NSC and maize-agropastoral rotation—MAP) under two tillage systems (no till-NT and minimum tillage-MT) were investigated. The effects of NT and MT on SOM and P fractions as well as maize grain yield under the five agropastoral treatments were evaluated. Results showed that soil total C, N and P were generally better under no-till as compared to minimum-tilled soils. While P fractions were also generally higher under no-till treatments, SOM fractions did not show any specific trend. Seven years after establishment of the long-term ley farming experiment (5 years of conventional tillage followed by 2 years alternative tillage systems), MT resulted into moderately higher maize grain yields as compared to NT. The MGM rotation treatment had significantly higher values of maize yield under both tillage systems (4.2 Mg) compared to the NSC (2.3 Mg ha⁻¹). Results from this study indicate that the rotational systems (maize–soybean green manure and maize-pastures) improved the soil conditions to implement the no-till or minimum tillage systems on Colombian savanna oxisol.     

Testing a practical indicator for changing soil organic matter

Long-term changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) resulting from management change are documented for many experimental situations, and corresponding trends in the field have been observed by national survey. Since these changes are relevant to atmospheric carbon balance a practical measure to confirm the impact of recent management decisions at any location, without resorting to repeated sampling, is highly attractive but none has previously been tested. This study assessed intra-aggregate C to fulfil the role, based on a temporary deviation from its predictable contribution to total SOC under stable management. A total of 166 surface soil samples (0–15 cm) were analyzed for intra-aggregate C using an established physical fractionation protocol or compatible scaled-up procedure. Soils were arable (or ley-arable) managed by conventional or minimum-tillage, or permanent grassland, and assigned ‘stable’ or ‘changing’ status on the basis of a verbal account of management history. Log-normal populations of intra-aggregate C were compared for soils of stable and changing status using F-tests. Intra-aggregate C shows promise as an indicator of changing SOC in arable soils up to 30% clay content, particularly soils <20% clay. A larger dataset is required to establish its utility in grassland soils. It is not certain that intra-aggregate C is capable of confirming direction of change or trajectory (endpoint), and functions to indicate change, rather than confirm stable status. Supplementary information on the history of soil use and management is therefore essential in the interpretation of such measurements.     

短期翻耕和有机物还田对东北暗棕壤物理性质和玉米产量的影响

构建适宜作物生长的耕层是解决农田土壤耕层变浅、变薄、变硬和透气透水性差的重要技术途径之一,对于土壤黏粒含量较高的土壤来说,更是如此.该研究以黑龙江省较为典型的农田暗棕壤为研究对象,在黑河市爱辉农业示范园区设置不同耕层构建模式试验,分析不同翻耕深度(15、35 cm)和不同有机物还田(秸秆和牛粪)对暗棕壤物理性质、玉...     

土壤性质与不同土壤Hg形态的关系

Correlation and path analysis methods were used to study the relationship between soil properties and the distribution of different soil Hg fractions with nine representative soils from Chongqing, China. Results showed that clay (< 2 m) could increase water-soluble Hg (r = 0.700*). Soil organic matter (OM) could enhance the increase of elemental Hg (r = 0.674*). The higher the base saturation percentage (BSP), the more the residual Hg (r = 0.684*). Organic Hg, the sum of acid-soluble organic Hg and alkali-soluble Hg, was positively affected by silt (2～20 μm) but negatively affected by pH, with the direct path coefficients amounting to 1.0487 and 0.5121, respectively. The positive effect of OM and negative effect of BSP on organic Hg were the most significant, with the direct path coefficients being 0.7614 and -0.8527, respectively. The indirect effect of clay (< 2 μm) via BSP (path coefficient = 0.4186) was the highest, showing that the real influencing factor in the effect of clay (< 2 μm) on acid-soluble organic Hg was BSP. Since the available Hg fraction, water-soluble Hg, was positively affected by soil clay content, and the quite immobile and not bioavailable residual Hg by soil BSP, suitable reduction of clay content and increase of BSP would be of much help to reduce the Hg availability and Hg activity in Hg-contaminated soils.     

Physical and mechanical properties of washed sediment mixed with organic matter

Soil from cleaning and washing of sugar beet during processing is collected and decanted in tanks each year over a period of several months. Instead of spreading it on agricultural land, another option is to reuse the sediment for crop growth. The physical and mechanical properties of the non-structured washed soil (WS) and the efficiency of added organic matter (peat and green waste compost) were evaluated by comparison with an arable silt loam soil (AS). Water retention data were expressed in a double-exponential function which characterized soil structural and matrix pore space. The effects on saturated hydraulic conductivity and pore space morphology from applying loads of 60 and 200 kPa on two initial volumetric water contents (12 and 25%) were investigated using image analysis. WS was a silt loam with no plasticity, and its void ratio and water retention were higher than the AS before compression. However, WS had a very small amount of structural pore space and despite its higher void ratio, its hydraulic conductivity was always lower than AS after compression. Organic matter improved all the WS properties by increasing structural porosity and vertical stress resistance. Organic matter created elongated and tortuous pores and increased K _s values by changing pore size distribution. During compression large pores with a radius >1500 μm disappeared in WS mixtures but were still observed in AS and were maintained by aggregate stability.     

菜地土壤有机碳分级以及总量变化的动态特征研究

Fertilisers significantly affect crop production and crop biomass inputs to soil organic carbon（SOC）. However, the long-term effects of fertilisers on C associated with aggregates are not yet fully understood. Based on soil aggregate and SOC fractionation analysis, this study investigated the long-term effects of organic manure and inorganic fertilisers on the accumulation and change in SOC and its fractions, including the C concentrations of free light fraction, intra-aggregate particulate organic matter（POM） and intra-aggregate mineral-associated organic matter（MOM）. Long-term manure applications improved SOC and increased the concentrations of some C fractions. Manure also accelerated the decomposition of coarse POM（cPOM） into fine POM（fPOM） and facilitated the transformation of fPOM encrustation into intra-microaggregate POM within macroaggregates. However, the application of inorganic fertilisers was detrimental to the formation of fPOM and to the subsequent encrustation of fPOM with clay particles, thus inhibiting the formation of stable microaggregates within macroaggregates. No significant differences were observed among the inorganic fertiliser treatments in terms of C concentrations of MOM, intra-microaggregate MOM within macroaggregate（imMMOM） and intra-microaggregate MOM（imMOM）. However, the long-term application of manure resulted in large increases in C concentrations of MOM（36.35%）, imMMOM（456.31%） and imMOM（19.33%） compared with control treatment.     

东北黑土有机质组分与结构的研究进展

在全球气候变化背景下研究土壤有机质的转化过程对于评价陆地生态系统碳截获潜力具有重要意义,而土壤有机质的循环特征及其稳定性与土壤有机质的组成和结构密切相关.东北黑土区是我国重要的商品粮基地,近年来,黑土有机质含量呈显著下降趋势,造成黑土肥力和质量的严重退化.本文通过文献资料的整理,总结了不同农田管理措施下黑土土壤有机质的消长动态、组分变化以及结构特征的研究现状,并探讨了研究中存在的问题.开垦和耕作导致土壤有机质总量、活性组分以及腐殖物质含量的显著降低,而平衡施用化肥和有机肥是维持和提升土壤有机质数量和质量的有效途径,长期有机无机配施使土壤有机质结构趋于简单化,有利于土壤肥力的保持.黑土有机质组分化学结构变化的驱动机制是值得人们长期探索的问题.     

Influence of long-term fertilization with farmyard manure on soil organic matter: Characteristics of particle-size fractions

Summary The influence of more than 100 years of fertilization with farmyard manure on soil organic matter in comparison to unfertilized soil was studied in particle-size fractions using elemental (C and N) analyses and pyrolysis-field ionization mass spectrometry. Distinct differences in C and N concentrations and distribution and in the quality of organic matter between the size fractions and the fertilization treatments were observed. Clay-associated C and N were relatively higher in the unfertilized treatment, whereas the application of farmyard manure preferentially increased soil organic matter associated with the fine and medium silt fractions. Pyrolysis-field ionization mass spectrometry of soil fractions <20 m showed increasing values for lignin monomers and dimers and fatty acids with larger equivalent diameters, whereas the proportion of N compounds, mono- and polysaccharides and phenolics decreased in the larger size fractions. Sand fractions were particularly rich in lignin fragments, mono- and polysaccharides, and alkanes/alkenes. These relationships seemed to be independent of management practices. In the same size fractions of the different treatments, however, a higher relative abundance of N-compounds, mono- and polysaccharides, phenolics, lignin monomers, and alkanes/alkenes was observed in the unfertilized variant. Lignin dimers and fatty acids were more abundant in the farmyard manure treatment. Both trends together imply that soil enrichment in organic matter due to the application of farmyard manure largely reflects an increase in lignin building blocks and partly reflects an increase in lipids such as fatty acids in the silt fractions. Therefore these constituents are of particular importance in assessing the positive effects of farmyard manure on soil fertility.     

Managing soil organic matter – implications for soil structure on organic farms

Abstract. This paper reviews current understanding of soil structure, the role of soil organic matter (SOM) in soil structure and evidence for or against better soil physical condition under organic farming. It also includes new data from farm case studies in the UK. Young SOM is especially important for soil structural development, improving ephemeral stability through fungal hyphae, extracellular polysaccharides, etc. Thus, to achieve aggregate stability and the advantages that this conveys, frequent input of fresh organic matter is required. Practices that add organic material are routinely a feature of organically farmed soils and the literature generally shows that, comparing like with like, organic farms had at least as good and sometimes better soil structure than conventionally managed farms. Our case studies confirmed this. In the reviewed papers, SOM was generally larger on the biodynamic/organic farms because of the organic additions and/or leys in the rotation. We can therefore hypothesize that, because it is especially the light fraction of SOM that is involved in soil structural development, soil structure will improve in a soil to which fresh organic residues are added regularly. Thus, we argue it is not the farming system per se that is important in promoting better physical condition, but the amount and quality of organic matter returned to a soil.     

耕地土壤有机碳组分的季节变化

Carbon fractions in soils apparently vary not only in space, but also over time. A lack of knowledge on the seasonal variability of labile carbon fractions under arable land hampers the reliability and comparability of soil organic carbon(SOC) surveys from different studies. Therefore, we studied the seasonal variability of two SOC fractions, particulate organic matter(POM) and dissolved organic carbon(DOC), under maize cropping: POM was determined as the SOC content in particle-size fractions, and DOC was measured as the water-extractable SOC(WESOC) of air-dried soil. Ammonium, nitrate, and water-extractable nitrogen were measured as potential regulating factors of WESOC formation because carbon and nitrogen cycles in soils are strongly connected. There was a significant annual variation of WESOC(coefficient of variation(CV) = 30%). Temporal variations of SOC in particle-size fractions were smaller than those of WESOC. The stocks of SOC in particle-size fractions decreased with decreasing particle sizes, exhibiting a CV of 20%for the coarse sand-size fraction(250–2 000 μm), of 9% for the fine sand-size fraction(50–250 μm), and of 5% for the silt-size fraction(20–50 μm). The WESOC and SOC in particle-size fractions both peaked in March and reached the minimum in May/June and August, respectively. These results indicate the importance of the time of soil sampling during the course of a year, especially when investigating WESOC.     

Nitrogen mineralization and nitrogen uptake by maize as influenced by light and heavy organic matter fractions

On a sandy tropical soil, organic materials (prunings of Leucaena leucocephala, Senna siamea and maize stover) with contrasting C/N ratio (13, 18 and 56, respectively) were applied at the rate of 15 t ha^?1a^?1 in order to increase the amount of soil organic matter. Two light fractions (LF1 = LF > 2 mm and LF2 = 0.25 mm < LF < 2 mm) and the heavy fraction (HF) of the soil organic matter pool were determined by means of a combined density/particle size fractionation procedure and data obtained were related to soil nitrogen mineralization under controlled conditions and to nitrogen uptake by maize under field conditions. Under controlled conditions and when the LF1 fraction was excluded, nitrogen mineralization was found not to be correlated to total organic carbon content in the soil (R²=0.02). The R²-value of the linear regression increased considerably, when amount and C/N ratio of the LF2 fraction was taken into account in the regression analysis (R² = 0.88). Under field conditions, a multiple linear regression with amount and C/N ratio of HF, LF1 and LF2 better explained variation in crop nitrogen content and nitrogen uptake of maize (R² = 0.78 and 0.94) than a simple linear regression with total organic carbon (R² = 0.48 and 0.76). The results illustrate the importance of the two light and heavy organic matter fractions for estimating soil nitrogen mineralization. Determination of light and heavy soil organic matter fractions by density/particle size fractionation seems to be a promising tool to characterize functional pools of soil organic matter.     

连续3年施用生物有机肥对土壤有机质组分、 棉花养分吸收及产量的影响

采用盆栽试验,研究了连续3年施用生物有机肥对3种土壤有机质组分、 棉花养分吸收量及产量的影响。结果表明,连续施肥3年后,不同有机质含量土壤的有机质组分含量、 棉花养分吸收量及产量均较不施肥有不同程度的提高。3种土壤随着施肥量的增加,土壤有机质总量和活性有机质组分（活性有机质、 中活性有机质、 高活性有机质）增加,活性有机质在3年后的增加幅度高于有机质总量,说明连续施用生物有机肥可以改善土壤有机质质量。高等、 中等有机质含量的土壤施用生物有机肥2030 g/kg时养分吸收量最大; 低等有机质含量的土壤在施用生物有机肥40 g/kg时养分吸收量最高。高、 中、 低等有机质含量的土壤棉花产量分别在施用生物有机肥20、 20、 40 g/kg时最大,较不施肥增加了54.05%、 37.15%、 104.08%。通过相关分析表明,随着土壤的本底有机质含量由高到低,有机质组分、 棉花养分吸收量及产量之间的相关性则越好,养分吸收量和产量存在极显著相关。     

城市污泥与调理剂混合堆肥过程中有机质组分的变化

【目的】研究城市污泥堆肥过程中各项有机质组分及碳、 氮在堆肥过程中的形成与转化,以期改善堆肥的生物有效性,促进其土地利用。【方法】在工厂规模化下,以城市污泥、 蘑菇渣锯末以及返混料按照6∶3∶1的质量比混合形成堆肥物料,辅以强制通风措施和翻抛,进行为期18 d的高温堆肥试验。堆肥期间定期采样,测定指标包括温度、 C/N值、 pH、 含水率、 有机质降解率、 水溶性组分、 半纤维素、 纤维素和木质素,研究堆肥期间不同阶段堆肥物料中有机质组分的动态变化。【结果】堆体温度随着发酵时间的延长呈现先升高后降低的趋势,最高温度达到71.3℃; 含水率由60.7%降低到51.4%,pH呈现先升高后降低的趋势,总体处于6.0~7.5之间; 总有机碳含量持续下降,氮素含量表现为高温期持续下降随后呈上升的趋势; 初始阶段,堆肥物料中四种成分含量分布为: 水溶性组分纤维素半纤维素木质素,至堆肥结束变化为: 纤维素水溶性组分木质素半纤维素,经过堆肥之后水溶性组分及半纤维素含量分别由39.5%和20.1%下降为27.9%和14.4%,纤维素含量由初始的21.8%上升至29.5%,木质素含量相对稳定不变。物料经过堆肥化处理后达到腐熟标准,水溶性组分和半纤维素含量分别降低了38.6%和38.8%,纤维素和木质素含量在高温期分别降解了11.7%和18.5%; 物料总量降低了9.8%。水溶性组分的主要降解阶段为高温期,期间降解部分占总降解量的65.5%; 半纤维素的主要降解阶段为稳定期,稳定期降解部分占总降解量的69.1%,且有继续降解的趋势; 纤维素和木质素仅在高温期有少量降解; 氮素则表现为高温期铵态氮的损失及稳定期硝态氮的积累。【结论】堆肥化处理在实现污泥减量化基础上,污泥中有机质得到了稳定化,有利于城市污泥的土地利用。     

耕作对土壤有机物和土壤团聚体稳定性的影响

Agricultural sustainability relates directly to maintaining or enhancing soil quality. Soil quality studies in Canada during the 1980‘s showed that loss of soil organic matter (SOM) and soil aggregate stability was standard features of non-sustainable land management in agroecosystems. In this study total soil organic carbon (SOC), particulate organic matter (POM), POM-C as a percentage of total SOC, and aggregate stability were determined for three cultivated fields and three adjacent grassland fields to assess the impact of conventional agricultural management on soil quality. POM was investigated using solid-state ^13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to determine any qualitative differences that may be attributed to cultivation. Results show a highly significant loss in total SOC, POM and aggregate stability in the cultivated fields as compared to the grassland fields and a significant loss of POM-C as a percentage of total SOC.Integrated results of the NMR spectra of the POM show a loss in carbohydrate-C and an increase in aromatic-C in the cultivated fields, which translates to a loss of biological lability in the organic matter. Conventional cultivation decreased the quantity and quality of SOM and caused a loss in aggregate stability resulting in an overall decline in soil quality.     

Influences of organic fertilization and solarization in a greenhouse on particle-size fractions of a Mediterranean sandy soil

 The effects of a composted organic amendment and solarization on the organic matter (OM) of a sandy soil were determined by means of particle-size fractionation and analysis of carbon and nitrogen contents. After 2 years, total soil carbon increased under organic fertilization but did not significantly change with solarization. As a consequence of the climatic conditions in the greenhouse, the carbon concentrations (g kg^–1 fraction) of the particle-size fractions were lower than those found for temperate soils and closer to those for tropical soils. The carbon amounts (g kg^–1 soil) and carbon:nitrogen ratios, which were highest in fractions >200 μm, reflected the short-term influence of the industrially processed organic amendment, rich in composted coarse plant debris. In contrast, the characteristics of the OM associated with each fraction were not significantly affected by solarization. In comparison with other coarse-textured temperate or tropical soils, carbon concentrations in fine silt (2–20 μm) and clay (0–2 μm) fractions were very low. This suggests a "greenhouse effect", together with a high rate of carbon mineralization affecting fine silt and clay fractions. Received: 19 November 1999