基于探地雷达功率谱和雷达波振幅包络估算砂壤含水率

为实现探地雷达(ground penetrating radar,GPR)技术对中国西部干旱地区浅部砂壤介质含水率分布精确、快速、连续的探测,该文研究了耦合自回归滑动平均功率谱估计方法(auto regressive and moving average,ARMA)和雷达波振幅包络平均值方法(average envelope amplitude,AEA)反演含水率提高反演精度的可行性。首先,使用自回归滑动平均功率谱估计方法(auto regressive and moving average,ARMA)和雷达波振幅包络平均值方法(average envelope amplitude,AEA)分别反演雷达有效探深范围内的砂壤介质体积含水率值。将雷达探测结果分别与取样烘干法在各深度的测试结果进行对比分析,发现针对研究区内的干燥砂壤介质,使用ARMA方法能够有效地反演出地表10 m深度内砂壤介质的体积含水率值,但0~0.5 m范围内含水率值反演结果不准确;而AEA方法可准确反演出该地区0~0.5 m范围内的体积含水率值。根据2种方法的适用性,构建典型干旱地区浅部砂壤介质(0~10 m)含水率的反演模型。实际探测显示,联合模型平均相对误差为5.57%~16.71%、均方根误差为0.62%~2.08%,在0~0.5 m范围内反演的含水率平均相对误差比ARMA方法减少16.81%~41.80%,与AEA方法相比,联合模型能够反演更深地表的含水率。综合表明联合模型能够快速、准确、连续地获得西部干旱区0~10 m范围内浅部砂壤介质的体积含水率值。     

Decomposability of organic matter in particle size fractions from field soils with straw incorporation

Soils from two field experiments on straw disposal were fractionated according to particle size using ultrasonic dispersion and gravity-sedimentation in water. Samples of whole soils, clay. silt and sand-size fractions were held for 49 days at 20°C and the CO₂ evolution measured on 14 dates by gas chromatography.Recovery of soil solids. C and N was 99, 98 and 93%, respectively. Most of the soil C and N was in the clay (<2μm). (loamy sand, 50% C and 56% N; sandy loam. 65% C and 68% N), the silt (2–20 μm) having smaller proportions (loamy sand, 41% C and 38% N; sandy loam. 29% C and 27% N). The sand fraction (20–6000 μm) accounted for 4–7% of the organic matter, and 1–2% of the C was water soluble. Straw incorporation generally increased the C and N content of whole soils and size fractions.The decomposition rate constants were higher for the sandy loam than for the loamy sand soil. For both soils, the decomposability of the organic matter decreased in the order: sand > clay ⩾ whole soil > silt. Straw incorporation increased the decomposition rate of whole soil and sand organic matter. whereas the effect of straw on clay and silt respiration was small.Between 58 and 73% of the respiration was from clay, 21–25% from silt and 6–19% from the sand size fraction.     

Burn Effects on Soil Aggregate Stability and Water Repellency of Two Soil Types from East and North Tunisia

To date, evidence of the potential effects of burning practices on soil properties in Tunisia is limited. In order to address this issue, we carried out laboratory investigations of the effects of burning on soil aggregate stability (AS) and water repellency (WR) of a clayey and a sandy loam Fluvisol soils. The treatments included low (100°C, LT), medium (300°C, MT) and high (600°C, HT), heating temperatures. Unburned (0°C, UB) soil samples were used as a control. Two breakdown mechanisms, fast wetting (FW) and mechanical breakdown (MB), were used for the measurement of AS. The latter is expressed by calculating the mean weight diameter (MWD). The water drop penetration time (WDPT) was used to evaluate the soil WR. The results showed that the unburned clayey and sandy loam soils are poorly aggregated. The HT and MT treatments significantly (p < 0.05) increased MWD of both soils, compared to UB samples, following the FW stability test. A lesser increase of MWD was observed with the MB test. The LT treatment did not significantly (p < 0.05) affect the soils AS. For the unburned clayey soil, the FW and MB tests gave significantly (p < 0.05) different MWDs . In contrast, the unburned sandy loam soil had similar MWDs under both tests. As for water repellency, the sandy loam soil was initially wettable and the clayey soil slightly water repellent. Burning treatments did not affect the sandy loam soil behavior but caused a decrease of clayey soil WR.     

Zeolite Effects on Immobile Water Content and Mass Exchange Coefficient at Different Soil Textures

The concern for groundwater pollution by agrichemicals through solute movement within the soil is widespread. Zeolite is a type of soil amendment that is utilized to improve physical properties of soil and ameliorate polluted soil. The high negative charge of the zeolite and its open space structure allows adsorption and access of heavy metals and other cations and anions. The objectives of this research were (i) to determine the effects of different application rates of zeolite (0, 2, 4, and 8 g kg^?1) on the immobile water content and mass exchange coefficient in a loam soil and then (ii) to determine the effects of optimum application rate of zeolite on the immobile water content and mass exchange coefficient of sandy loam and clay loam soils in saturated conditions by a mobile and immobile (MIM) model. In a disturbed soil column, a method was proposed for determination of MIM model parameters, that is, immobile water content (θ_im), mass exchange coefficient (α), and hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient (D_h). Breakthrough curves were obtained for different soil textures with different zeolite applications in three replicates, by miscible displacement of chloride (Cl^?1) in disturbed soil column. Cl^?1 breakthrough curves were evaluated in terms of the MIM model. The results showed that the pore water velocity calculated based on the total soil volumetric water content (θ_im+ θ_m) and real pore water velocity calculated based on the mobile water content (θ_m) increased in the loam soil with an increase in zeolite application rate, so that, between these different rates of zeolite application, the maximum value of pore water velocity and real pore water velocity occurred at zeolite application rates of 8.6 and 11.5 g kg^?1, which are indicated as the optimum application rates. However, the comparison between different soils showed that the zeolite application rate of 8 g kg^?1 could increase pore water velocity of sandy loam and loam soils by 31% more than that of clay loam soil. The immobile water content and mass exchange coefficient of loam soil were correlated with the zeolite application rate and reduced with an increase in the rate of applied zeolite. In a comparison between different soils at zeolite application rate of 8 g kg^?1, the immobile water contents of the zeolite-treated soil decreased by 57%, 60%, and 39% on sandy loam, loam, and clay loam soils, respectively, compared with the untreated soil. Furthermore, zeolite application could reduce mass exchange coefficient by 9%, 43%, and 21% on sandy loam, loam, and clay loam soils, respectively. A positive linear relationship was found between θ_im and α. Zeolite application increased real pore water velocity of sandy loam soil by 39% and 46% compared with loam and clay loam soils, respectively. In other studies there was a decrease in ammonium and nitrate leaching due to the zeolite application, and therefore, an increase in real pore water velocity due to zeolite application in sandy loam soil, as compared with the loam and clay loam soils, may not show more rapid movement of solute and agrichemicals to the groundwater.     

土壤质地对柱花草生长发育、生物量及土壤肥力变化的影响

采用大田试验的方法,在云南省元谋县小雷宰流域内壤土、砂壤土和重壤土3种质地土壤上,以热研5号柱花草为材料,研究土壤质地对柱花草生长发育、生物量及土壤有机质、有机碳、全氮和全磷的影响。试验结果表明:3种土壤质地上种植柱花草,柱花草地上部和地下部生长量和生物量表现幼苗期增加缓慢,而分枝期后增加快的趋势。壤土耕性好,兼有砂土和重壤土的优点,有利柱花草地上部分的生长发育,柱花草地上部生长量、生物量及改善土壤肥力方面显著高于重壤土。砂壤土有利于柱花草根系向深层土壤生长,柱花草地下部生长量、生物量及根瘤显著高于种植在重壤土。在3种土壤质地种植柱花草后,土壤有机质、有机碳、全氮和全磷均有上升趋势。综合而言,通气性和保肥保水能力居中的壤土更适合柱花草的生长发育及干物质的积累。     

Soil photolysis in a moisture- and temperature-controlled environment. 2. Insecticides

The photolytic degradations of imidacloprid, carbofuran, diazinon, chlorpyrifos, pyridaben, propoxur, and esfenvalerate were independently compared in both moist (75% field moisture capacity at 0.33 bar) and air-dry microbially viable soils at 5 microg/g. All compounds were applied to sandy soil except for propoxur, which was applied to sandy loam soil. Diazinon was applied to both sandy soil and sandy loam soil. The samples were exposed for up to 360 h, depending on the half-life of the compound. Moisture and temperature were maintained through the use of a specially designed soil photolysis apparatus. Corresponding dark control studies were performed concurrently. With the exception of esfenvalerate, the other compounds exhibited significantly shorter half-lives in moist soils, attributed to the increased hydrolysis and microbial activity of the moist soil. The esfenvalerate metabolism was not first order due to limited mobility in the soil because of its very low water solubility. The overall half-life for esfenvalerate was 740 h, as the percent remaining did not drop below 60%. The imidacloprid half-life in irradiated moist soil was 1.8 times shorter than in air-dry soils. However, on dry soil the photodegradation showed poor first-order kinetics after 24 h of exposure. The metabolism of carbofuran and diazinon was highly dependent on soil moisture. Carbofuran exhibited 2.2 times longer half-lives when less moisture was available in the soil. Diazinon in moist sandy soil degraded rapidly, but slowed significantly in irradiated and dark control air-dry sandy soil. Diazinon photolysis on sandy loam soil was not first order, as it attained a constant concentration of 54.9%, attributed to decreased mobility in this soil. Chlorpyrifos photolysis was 30% shorter on moist sand than on air-dry sand. Pyridaben photolyzed rapidly throughout the first 72 h of irradiation but maintained 48% through 168 h. Propoxur metabolism in moist sandy loam soil was not first order and did not degrade below 50% after 360 h of exposure, but the overall half-life was still nearly half of that on irradiated air-dry soil. Three of the compounds showed differences in metabolism patterns during exposure on moist or air-dry soil. Typically, the moist soils produced a more linear decline than that seen in the dry soils, corresponding to the susceptibility of the particular chemical to hydrolysis and/or biodegradation. Four of the eight experiments had shorter half-lives in dark control moist soils than in irradiated dry soils.     

Carbon and net nitrogen mineralisation in two forest soils amended with different concentrations of biuret

Biuret is a known contaminant of urea fertilisers that might be useful as a slow release N fertiliser for forestry. We studied carbon (C), net nitrogen (N) mineralisation and soil microbial biomass C and N dynamics in two forest soils (a sandy loam and a silt loam) during a 16-week long incubation following application of biuret (C 23.3%, N 40.8%, O 30.0% and H 4.9%) at concentrations of 0, 2, 10, 100 and 1000 mg kg⁻¹ (oven-dried) soil to assess the potential of biuret as a slow-release N fertiliser. Lower concentrations of biuret specifically increased C mineralisation and soil microbial biomass C in the sandy loam soil, but not in the silt loam soil. A significant decrease of microbial biomass C was found in both soils at week 16 after biuret was applied at higher concentrations. C mineralisation declined with duration of incubation in both soils due to decreased C availability. Biuret at concentrations from 10 to 100 mg kg⁻¹ soil had a significantly positive priming effect on soil organic N mineralisation in both soils. The causes for the priming effects were related to the stimulation of microbial growth and activity at an early stage of the incubation and/or the death of microbes at a later stage, which was biuret-concentration-dependent. The patterns in NH₄⁺-N accumulation differed markedly between the two soils. Net N mineralisation and nitrification were much greater in the sandy loam soil than in the silt loam soil. However, the onset of net nitrification was earlier in the silt loam soil. Biuret might be a potential slow-release N source in the silt loam soil.     

甘肃省不同气候类型区土壤水分特性

为揭示甘肃省不同气候区不同质地土壤的容重、田间持水量和凋萎湿度的差异,对观测资料的适用性和推广价值进行评价。通过对77个站点10—100 cm土壤水分资料的分析,结果表明:甘肃省全省的土壤容重范围为0.89～1.79 g/cm~3,平均值为1.36 g/cm~3,表层土壤容重与深层土壤容重差异显著(P0.05),半湿润区、半干旱区浅层土壤容重更易受到外界环境及人为活动的干扰。甘肃省大部田间持水量由西北向东南呈增加趋势,田间持水量的最大值为36%～40%,分布在高寒湿润区10—50 cm土层,全省10 cm与20 cm土层田间持水量差异较小,相关系数为0.96,与其他层次差异较大,50 cm土层很可能是甘肃地区土壤田间持水量的分界层。各土层凋萎湿度最大值均出现在冷温带干旱区、高寒半干旱半湿润区中部,不同层次间田间持水量与凋萎湿度呈极显著相关。甘肃省全省大部分地区主要以壤土为主,除此之外干旱区主要以砂壤土为主,半干旱区主要以砂壤土与黏壤土为主,半湿润区主要以粉壤土与黏壤土为主。探讨不同气候区不同层次间土壤容重、田间持水量和凋萎湿度的差异,以期为保障地上生产力、提高水分利用效率提供数据支撑。     

Straw incorporation and soil organic matter in macro-aggregates and particle size separates

Two field experiments in which straw has been removed or incorporated for 17 yr (loamy sand) and 10 yr (sandy clay loam) were sampled to examine the effect of straw on the C and N contents in whole soil samples, macro-aggregate fractions and primary particle-size separates. The particle size composition of the aggregate fractions was determined. Aggregates were isolated by dry sieving. Straw incorporation increased the number of 1–20 mm aggregates in the loamy sand but no effect was noted in the sandy clay loam. Straw had no effect on the particle size composition of the various aggregate fractions. After correction for loose sand that accumulated in the aggregate fractions during dry sieving, macro-aggregates appeared to be enriched in clay and silt compared with whole soil samples. Because of the possible detachment of sand particles from the exterior surface of aggregates during sieving operations, it was inferred that the particle size composition of macro-aggregates is similar to that of the bulk soil. The organic matter contents of the aggregate fractions were closely correlated with their clay + silt contents. Differences in the organic matter content of clay isolated from whole soil samples and aggregate fractions were generally small. This was also true for the silt-size separates. In both soils, straw incorporation increased the organic matter content of nearly all clay and silt separates; for silt this was generally twice that observed for clay. The amounts of soil C, derived from straw, left in the loamy sand and sandy clay loam at the time of sampling were 4.4 and 4.5 t ha^?1, corresponding to 12 and 21% of the straw C added. The C/N ratios of the straw-derived soil organic matter were 11 and 12 for the loamy sand and sandy clay loam, respectively.     

Effects of seed priming with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on wheat yield and soil properties under contrasting soils

In the present investigation, different strains of Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), namely Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis were evaluated for their growth-promoting effects on wheat as well as on soil properties under field conditions at two different sites having sandy loam and silt loam type of soils. PGPR strains were evaluated either singly or in consortia. Amongst all the treatments, wheat inoculated with consortia was found most effective as it increased grain yield up to 53% over control in silt loam soil, whereas, corresponding effects in sandy loam soil were less pronounced as an increase of 31% was observed in corresponding treatments, respectively. Enhanced effects on soil properties were also more intense in silt loam as there was an increase of 205% organic matter as against sandy loam soil where this value was 110%.     

Characteristics of Water Infiltration in Layered Water-Repellent Soils

Water-repellent(WR) soil greatly influences infiltration behavior. This research determined the impacts of WR levels of silt loam soil layer during infiltration. Three column scenarios were utilized, including homogeneous wettable silt loam or sand, silt loam over sand(silt loam/sand), and sand over silt loam(sand/silt loam). A 5-cm thick silt loam soil layer was placed either at the soil surface or 5 cm below the soil surface. The silt loam soil used had been treated to produce different WR levels, wettable, slightly WR, strongly WR, and severely WR. As the WR level increased from wettable to severely WR, the cumulative infiltration decreased. Traditional wetting front-related equations did not adequately describe the infiltration rate and time relationships for layered WR soils. The Kostiakov equation provided a good fit for the first infiltration stage. Average infiltration rates for wettable, slightly WR, strongly WR, and severely WR during the 2 nd infiltration stage were 0.126, 0.021, 0.002, and 0.001 mm min~(-1) for the silt loam/sand scenario,respectively, and 0.112, 0.003, 0.002, and 0.000 5 mm min~(-1) for the sand/silt loam scenario, respectively. Pseudo-saturation phenomena occurred when visually examining the wetting fronts and from the apparent changes in water content(?θ_(AP)) at the slightly WR,strongly WR, and severely WR levels for the silt loam/sand scenario. Much larger ?θAPvalues indicated the possible existence of finger flow. Delayed water penetration into the surface soil for the strongly WR level in the silt loam/sand scenario suggested negative water heads with infiltration times longer than 10 min. The silt loam/sand soil layers produced sharp transition zones of water content. The WR level of the silt loam soil layer had greater effects on infiltration than the layer position in the column.     

Effect of Continuous Rice–Wheat Rotation on Soil Properties from Four Agro‐ecosystems of Indian Punjab

In Indian Punjab, rice–wheat is a dominant cropping system in four agro‐ecosystems, namely undulating subregion (zone 1), Piedmont alluvial plains (zone 2), central alluvial plains (zone 3), and southwestern alluvial plains (zone 4), varying in rainfall and temperature. Static and temporal variabilities in soil physical and chemical properties prevail because of alluvial parent material, management/tillage operations, and duration of rice–wheat rotation. A detailed survey was undertaken to study the long‐term effect of rice–wheat rotation on soil physical (soil separates, bulk density, modulus of rupture, saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivities, soil water content, and suction relations) and chemical (organic carbon, pH, electrical conductivity) properties of different textured soils (sandy clay loam, loam, clay loam, and silty clay loam) in these four zones of Punjab. Soil samples (of 0‐ to 30‐cm depth) from 45 sites were collected during 2006 and were analyzed for physical and chemical properties. The results showed that sand content and pH increased whereas silt and organic carbon decreased significantly from zones 1 to 4. Compared to other textures, significantly greater organic carbon, modulus of rupture, and pH in silty clay loam; greater bulk density in clay loam, and greater saturated hydraulic conductivity in sandy clay loam were observed. Irrespective of zone and soil texture, in the subsurface soil, there was a hard pan at 15–22.5 cm deep, which had high soil bulk density, modulus of rupture, more silt and clay contents (by 3–5%) and less organic carbon and hydraulic conductivity than the surface (0–15 cm) layer. These properties deteriorated with fineness of the soil texture and less organic carbon content. Continuous rice–wheat cropping had a deleterious effect on many soil properties. Many of these soils would benefit from the addition of organic matter, and crop yields may also be affected by the distinct hardpan that exists between 15 and 22.5 cm deep.     

Changes in Soil Test Phosphorus from Broiler Litter Additions

Abstract

Nutrient surpluses on the Delmarva Peninsula have led to a continual accumulation of soil test phosphorus (STP), a potential source for transport of phosphorus (P) to surface waters. This article examines the effects of initial soil test P concentrations and broiler litter additions on STP accumulation. Broiler litter (BL) was applied at rates of 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 g kg^?1 (dry weight) to three soils: an Evesboro sandy loam (Mesic, coated Typic Quartzipsamments), a Pocomoke sandy loam (coarse‐loamy, siliceous, thermic typic Umbraquults), and a Matapeake silt loam (fine‐silty, mixed, semiactive, mesic Typic Hapludults). Soils and BL were incubated for 16 weeks with subsamples analyzed after 4 and 16 weeks. There was a linear increase in STP (Mehlich‐3), water‐soluble P (WS‐P), iron‐oxide strip‐extractable P (FeO‐P), and Mehlich‐3 phosphorus saturation ratio (M3‐PSR) with broiler litter additions. Regression analysis indicated few significant differences in STP response to added BL between soils within the same soil group having different initial STP levels. Correlation analysis and stepwise regression indicated that increases in WS‐P and FeO‐P from added BL were more closely related to the degree of P saturation of the soil rather than traditional STP measurements. Therefore, decisions regarding manure placement within a watershed should be based on the potential P sorption capacity of the soil as well as potential P transport pathways when the goal is the reduction of P transfer to waterbodies.     

Movement of phorate under constant and variable surface water flux in initially dry and moist soils

The distribution of phorate was studied in three texturally different soils under constant and variable surface flux of water. Phorate distribution profiles and leaching curves showed that the insecticide was displaced more efficiently and its concentration peak formed at deeper depth with constant than with variable water flux in sandy loam soils irrespective of initial soil water content. However, phorate distribution profiles were found to be independent of the methods of water application in clay soil because of its extremely low permeability.     

毛管埋深和层状质地对番茄滴灌水氮利用效率的影响

为了确定不同质地土壤中地下滴灌的适宜毛管埋深,通过两年日光温室滴灌施肥灌溉试验,研究了毛管埋深、土壤层状质地和施氮量对番茄产量、品质及水分利用效率（WUE）、氮肥表观利用率（AFUE）和氮肥偏生产力（PFP）的影响。研究结果表明,均质壤土中,毛管埋深、施氮量及其交互作用对番茄产量和WUE影响不显著,地下滴灌番茄Vc含量比地表滴灌低;番茄AFUE随毛管埋深增加而降低,施氮量由150 kg/hm2增加到225 kg/hm2时,番茄PFP显著降低。对均质壤土,建议毛管埋深15 cm、施氮量150 kg/hm2,以获得较高的PFP。土壤的层状质地结构明显降低番茄的产量、WUE和PFP,与均质壤土处理相比,上砂下壤和砂土夹层处理WUE分别低32%和11%,产量和PFP分别低33%和12%,从提高水氮利用效率的角度出发,建议在上粗下细（上砂下壤）的层状土壤中慎重使用地下滴灌。     

Impact of Soil Water Content and Core Sampler Diameter at Sampling for Dry Soil Fragment‐Size Distributions

Soil conditions at sampling and the dimensions of the sample are critical factors when soil aggregation is indirectly characterized by determining the distribution of soil fragments. Our objective was to determine the effects of gravimetric soil water content and core sampler diameter (16, 54, and 84 mm) at sampling on the dry‐fragment‐size distribution of two soils (Typic Paleudalf and Typic Hapludalf) under undisturbed Festuca arundinacea L. sod and recently rototilled treatments. The 16‐mm core diameter sampler compressed the rototilled soil, and it was not appropriate for soil aggregation studies. The fragmentation of samples taken with core diameters greater than 54 mm decreased with decreasing soil water content. A greater probability of discriminating between undisturbed and fragmented silt loam or clay loam soils was observed when sampling with a 54‐mm‐diameter probe and when the soil had a mean soil water content of 237g kg^?1 or at a potential of ?0.61MPa.     

Predicting diurnal variations in water content along with temperature at the soil surface

Under field conditions, much of the uncertainty regarding the magnitude of nitrogen loss as ammonia from surface-applied urea fertilizers arises from the interaction of short-term fluctuations in soil water and temperature with chemical processes. A mechanistic model to combine present knowledge of individual components of the volatilization process may provide insight into the variability. Thus, the ability to adequately predict fluctuations in surface water content and temperature is desirable.Diurnal fluctuations in soil surface water contents and temperatures were compared with predictions from a model based on the finite difference solution of the coupled soil water and heat flow equations and on simulated mass and energy balances at the soil surface. The measured values were taken over several weeks on Muir silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, mesic, Pachic Haplustolls) and Haynie very fine sandy loam (coarse-silty, mixed, mesic, Typic Udifluvents). Small diurnal fluctuations in the surface soil water content were simulated closely by the model for both soils. The fluctuations of soil temperature were simulated well by the model for both soils, even under overcast skies. Generally, there was good agreement (< 1.7°C average difference) between modeled and measured temperatures.     

The Role of Soil Mineralogical Characteristics in Sustainable Soil Fertility Management: A Case Study of Some Tropical Alfisols in Nigeria

The pedogenic horizons of nine profile pits dug across three toposequences were studied to determine the soil mineralogical characteristics and its implications on sustainable management of the fertility of some tropical Alfisols in Nigeria. Results showed that the epipedon which were predominantly ochric had textures that ranged from sand to sandy loam, while the subsurface (B/Bt) horizons had sandy clay loam to sandy clay texture and were gravelly (31.79–83.04%). The soil reaction ranged from strongly acid to neutral (pH 5.10 to 7.05). Calcium and magnesium dominated the exchange sites and accounted for about 75% of the exchangeable bases. Illite/mica and kaolinite were the dominant minerals in the clay fractions, while quartz, mica, and feldspars dominated the fine sand and silt fractions of the soils. While the presence of illite and mica could be important for potassium nutrition in these soils, kaolinite and oxides of iron could also cause phosphorus fixation.     

Soil organic matter distribution as influenced by enchytraeid and earthworm activity

Loam and sandy soils, and the earthworm casts produced with ¹⁴C-labelled plant material in both soils, were incubated in airtight glass vessels with and without enchytraeids to evaluate the effects of soil fauna on the distribution and fragmentation of organic matter. After 1, 3, and 6 weeks, the amount of C mineralised was determined in soils and earthworm casts, and the soil was fractionated into particulate organic matter (POM), the most active pool of soil organic matter, after complete physical dispersion in water. The percentage weight of fine fractions (0-50 µm) was 67.4% in the loam soil. Sand (coarse, i.e. 150-2,000 µm and fine 50-150 µm) represented 87.2% of total weight in sandy soil, while the percentages of C (PC) were 23.2% in coarse POM (2,000-150 µm) and 11.9% in fine POM (150-50 µm). These percentages were higher than those in loam soil, i.e. 3.4% (coarse POM) and 5.4% (fine POM). The PC in coarse POM (9.50%) and fine POM (16.4%) remained higher in casts from sandy soil than in casts from loam soil (4.7% in coarse and 14.3% in fine POM). The highest percentages of ¹⁴C-labelled leaves were found in fine fractions, 55.9% in casts from loam soil and 48.8% in casts from sandy soil. The C mineralisation of the added plant material was higher in casts from the sandy soil (20.3%) than from the loam soil (13.5%). Enchytraeids enhanced C mineralisation in the bulk sandy soil, but did not affect the mineralisation of added plant material in either soil. The main enchytraeid effect was enhancement of the humification process in the bulk sandy soil, the casts from this soil, and the bulk loam soil.