Measuring and modelling the actual energy involved in aggregate breakdown

This work investigates the distribution of soil aggregates for Vertisols and Ferrasols as a function of the actual energy involved in dispersion, known as the dispersive energy. For Vertisols showing an aggregate hierarchy, the breakdown of aggregates 2–50 μm is modelled using the aggregate liberation and dispersion characteristic curve indicating a stepwise breakdown of soil aggregates. Meanwhile, for Ferrasols, the breakdown of 2–50 μm aggregates increases monotonically with increasing dispersive energy, which is indicative of the direct release of silt and clay from the disruption of aggregates. For soils displaying an aggregate hierarchy, the relative rate constant of aggregate liberation is much larger than the relative rate constant of the aggregate dispersion. Furthermore, the redistribution of aggregates for a number of size ranges within the 2–50 μm fraction illustrates a number of different pathways in aggregate breakdown, and the assumption that aggregates follow an exponential decay may not detect the presence of a weakly expressed aggregate hierarchy. The exponential decrease in ultrasonic power over time for the Ferrasols, as opposed to the prominent drop or steps in the curves for the Vertisols, confirms the lack of a prominent aggregate hierarchy.     

Measurement of aggregate bond energy using ultrasonic dispersion

Numerous protocols have been developed to assess soil stability, such as wet sieving, end-over-end shaking and rainfall simulation, but a major limitation of these procedures is that they apply an arbitrary application of mechanical energy that is not quantified, resulting in a stability assessment that can only be related to the context in which it is being used. To address this, previous authors demonstrated that the energy ( L ) responsible for dispersing soil could be determined when using ultrasonic agitation. Changes in ultrasonic equipment, with the inclusion of a feedback system to adjust the output energy, E_p , of the ultrasonic probe, preclude the assumption that E_p is the same in pure water and in dispersed and undispersed soil–water systems, which may explain why previous approaches have not been routinely adopted. Our paper presents a new theory for estimating the components of the energy balance in an ultrasonic system fitted with a power-adjusting feedback mechanism facilitating the estimate of L . Using Vertisol and Ferrasol soil samples, the components of the ultrasonic energy balance were successfully estimated and the estimate of L was greater than that reported in earlier work. When used to calculate the soil dispersion characteristic curve, it was found that the critical dispersive energy ( L_d ) was in the range of 100–600 J g⁻¹, which appears to be much larger compared with previously published values, and the L_d constituted 3–20% of the total energy applied to the soil–water system.     

Redistribution of particulate organic matter during ultrasonic dispersion of highly weathered soils

The use of ultrasonic energy for the dispersion of aggregates in studies of soil organic matter (SOM) fractionation entails a risk of redistribution of particulate organic matter (POM) to smaller particle‐size fractions. As the mechanical strength of straw also decreases with increasing state of decomposition, it can be expected that not all POM will be redistributed to the same extent during such dispersion. Therefore, we studied the redistribution of POM during ultrasonic dispersion and fractionation as a function of (i) dispersion energy applied and (ii) its state of decomposition. Three soils were dispersed at different ultrasonic energies (750, 1500 and 2250 J g^?1 soil) or with sodium carbonate and were fractionated by particle size. Fraction yields were compared with those obtained with a standard particle‐size analysis. Undecomposed or incubated (for 2, 4 or 6 months) ¹³C‐enriched wheat straw was added to the POM fraction (0.25–2 mm) of one of the soils before dispersion and fractionation. Dispersion with sodium carbonate resulted in the weakest dispersion and affected the chemical properties of the fractions obtained through its high pH and the introduction of carbonate. The mildest ultrasonic dispersion treatment (750 J g^?1) did not result in adequate soil dispersion as too much clay was still recovered in the larger fractions. Ultrasonic dispersion at 1500 J g^?1 soil obtained a nearly complete dispersion down to the clay level (0.002 mm), and it did not have a significant effect on the total amount of carbon and nitrogen in the POM fractions. The 2250 J g^?1 treatment was too destructive for the POM fractions since it redistributed up to 31 and 37%, respectively, of the total amount of carbon and nitrogen in these POM fractions to smaller particle‐size fractions. The amount of ¹³C‐enriched wheat straw that was redistributed to smaller particle‐size fractions during ultrasonic dispersion at 1500 J g^?1 increased with increasing incubation time of this straw. Straw particles incubated for 6 months were completely transferred to smaller particle‐size fractions. Therefore, ultrasonic dispersion resulted in fractionation of POM, leaving only the less decomposed particles in this fraction. The amounts of carbon and nitrogen transferred to the silt and clay fractions were, however, negligible compared with the total amounts of carbon and nitrogen in these fractions. It is concluded that ultrasonic dispersion seriously affects the amount and properties of POM fractions. However, it is still considered as an acceptable and appropriate method for the isolation and study of SOM associated with silt and clay fractions.     

引黄灌溉耕作对土壤团聚体有机碳的影响

为研究灌溉耕作影响下土壤团聚体及有机碳的特征情况,以宁夏引黄灌区为研究对象,选取对照土壤与耕作土壤,通过干、湿筛结合的方法,得到大团聚体(2mm)、中间团聚体(2~0.25mm)、微团聚体(0.25~0.053mm)和粉+黏团聚体(0.053mm),并测定团聚体有机碳含量,分析团聚体有机碳与总有机碳之间的关系。结果表明,灌溉耕作对团聚体分布具有极显著影响(P0.01),其中大团聚体和中间团聚体质量分数上升,微团聚体和粉+黏团聚体质量分数下降,灌溉土壤团聚体分布趋势为微团聚体粉+黏团聚体中间团聚体大团聚体。经灌溉耕作后土壤团聚体稳定性大于对照土壤,不同类型的灌溉土壤稳定性基本一致,对照土壤间差异明显。除0.053mm外,团聚体有机碳分布在经过灌溉耕作后有显著性差异(P0.05),团聚体有机碳分布随粒级大小基本呈"V"形分布。团聚体有机碳含量均表现出灌溉土壤高于对照土壤,其中灌溉土壤中灌淤土和潮土团聚体有机碳总量较高。未受人为灌溉耕作影响的自然土壤团聚体有机碳与总有机碳间具有显著的正相关性,土壤总有机碳增加主要依赖0.053mm团聚体有机碳增加。引黄灌溉耕作有利于增加大粒级团聚体的比例,提升团聚体稳定,显著增加有机碳含量。     

Evaluation of an ultrasonic dispersion procedure to isolate primary organomineral complexes from soils

Soil organic matter can be intimately associated with mineral particles of various sizes. For structural studies, soil organic matter can be isolated in particle size fractions after complete dispersion of the aggregates by ultrasonication. The ultrasonic dispersion energy necessary for complete dispersion was investigated in three A and two B horizons originating from four soils differing in pedogenesis (Gleysol, Phaeozem, Podzol, Alisol), organic C (4.2–34.5 g kg^–1) and clay content (24–294 g kg^–1). Calorimetric calibration of five probe-type ultrasonifiers revealed that the actual energy output from an instrument can depart widely from its nominal output, and that this discrepancy varies from instrument to instrument. Calorimetric calibration is therefore essential for consistency and comparisons between laboratories. Between 450 and 500 J ml^–1 of ultrasonic dispersion energy was enough to disperse completely all samples investigated. The particle size distributions obtained were close to those from standard analysis, except for smaller yields (–20 to –80 g kg^–1) of sand size fractions, which suggests that dispersion by ultrasound is more effective. Based on total C, C:N ratio and distribution of dissolved C, no detachment of soil organic matter from primary organomineral complexes and no redistribution between particle size fractions could be detected in the range 30–590 J ml^–1 of dispersion energy.     

Particle size fractionation of soil containing coal and combusted particles

Standard procedure for dispersing natural soils for particle size fractionation can be too aggressive for soil containing coal and other organic particles from coal industries. We have investigated ultrasonic dispersion for the latter in four soils differing in pedogenesis (Phaeozem, Podzol, reclaimed mine soils), carbon content (27.5–138.6 g kg^–1), clay content (80–153 g kg^–1) and sources of particles (airborne coal dust, combustion residues, lignite particles). As we found previously for natural soils, the ultrasonic energy needed for complete dispersion varies between 450 and 500 J ml^–1, but the resulting particle size distributions differ from those obtained by standard textural analysis. This is probably related to the different properties of native soil organic matter and coal and combusted particles. Coal and soot particles may partly resist oxidation with hydrogen peroxide, depending on material and particle size. The diameter of lignite particles, remaining after oxidation, is overestimated in sedimentation analysis by a factor of 1.66. Sand-sized lignite particles can be disrupted by ultrasonication and redistributed to finer particle size fractions. The ultrasonic dispersion and particle size fractionation procedure can be applied to soils containing coal and combusted particles, but caution is needed in interpreting the results if they contain large proportions of coal particles.     

Evaluation of ultrasonic aggregate stability and rainfall erosion resistance of disturbed and amended soils in the Lake Tahoe Basin, USA

Application of organic soil amendments to disturbed soil has been shown to improve aggregate stability and reduce soil susceptibility to erosion. Employing ultrasonic aggregate stability assessment techniques described earlier [Fristensky, A. and Grismer, M.E., 2008. A simultaneous model for ultrasonic aggregate stability assessment. Catena, 74: 153–164.], we assess the effect of two experimental organic soil amendments – a compost and a woodchip mulch incorporated at a rate of 2000–6000 kg ha^− 1 N-equivalence – on soil aggregation and aggregate stability at four drastically disturbed sites within the Lake Tahoe Basin, USA. Experimental plots were established 1–3 years prior to testing. The soils were of granitic or volcanic origin, and disturbed by either ski run or road development. Soil treatments were observed to significantly (p < 0.05) increase both aggregation (300% average increase) and ultrasonic aggregate stability (600% average increase) relative to the untreated soil. However, at the two sites disturbed by ski run development, the control treatment (tilling and surface application of pine–needle mulch) performed comparably to the two incorporated compost treatments, suggesting that the effects of the experimental amendments on aggregation were negligible at these sites, or their effective duration was shorter than the evaluation period.Rainfall simulations (72–120 mm h^− 1) were performed on the treatment plots, and results were compared with the ultrasonic aggregate stability indices. Significant (p < 0.05) positive correlations were obtained between the measurements of aggregate instability and indices of soil susceptibility to runoff, including steady-state infiltration rate (measured values between 1 and 120 mm h^− 1), and the level of kinetic energy of applied rainfall at which runoff commences (EBR, measured values between 12 and 224 J m^− 2). However, no correlation was found between the ultrasonic aggregate stability indices and observed soil erosion variables. Interestingly, positive relationships (p < 0.05) were observed between both infiltration rate and EBR and the proportion of 2–20 μm and < 2 μm particles liberated from the largest aggregates detected in each soil. Our results suggest that ultrasonic aggregate stability indices may be useful indicators of soil susceptibility to runoff and erosion under rainfall.     

Effects of cattle manure on selected soil physical properties of smallholder farms on two soils of Murewa,Zimbabwe

The effects of cattle manure and inorganic N‐fertilizer application on soil organic carbon (SOC), bulk density, macro‐aggregate stability and aggregate protected carbon were determined on clay and sandy soils of the Murewa smallholder farming area, Zimbabwe. Maize was grown in four fields termed homefields (HFs) and outfields (OFs) because of spatial variability induced by management practices and with the following fertility treatments: control (no fertility amelioration), 5, 15 and 25 t/ha cattle manure + 100 kg/ha N applied annually for seven consecutive years. The addition of cattle manure resulted in significant (P < 0.01) increases in SOC, macro‐aggregate stability and aggregate protected carbon in clay soils from at least the 5 t/ha cattle manure rate and was comparable between HFs and OFs on clay soils. Aggregate protected carbon in clay soils was significantly higher from the 15 and 25 t/ha cattle manure rates compared to the 5 t/ha cattle manure treatment. In contrast, only SOC was significantly (P < 0.05) increased with the addition of cattle manure on the sandy soils, while bulk density, macro‐aggregate stability and aggregate protected carbon were not significantly changed. Bulk density was also not significantly (P > 0.05) different on the clay soils. A significant and positive linear relationship (r² = 0.85) was found between SOC and macro‐aggregate stability, while an r² value of 0.82 was obtained between SOC and aggregate protected carbon on the clay soils. However, no regressions were performed on data from the sandy soils because of the lack of significant changes in soil physical properties. Application of cattle manure and inorganic N‐fertilizer significantly increased (P < 0.05) maize grain yield on both soil types. Results show that inorganic N‐fertilizer combined with cattle manure at 5–15 t/ha per yr is necessary to increase maize yields and SOC on sandy soils in Murewa, while at least 15 t/ha per yr cattle manure is required on the clay soils to improve physical properties in addition to maize yields and SOC.     

The effect of ultrasound on the stability of mesoaggregates (60–2,000 μm)

A standardized ultrasonic dispersion is presented with reference to soil structure. It is suggested that the parameters of aggregate stability can be expressed by the input of ultrasound energy which causes a soil-dependent process of aggregate dispersion. Preliminary results for soils of different land use and parent materials show that, for the soils examined, the stability of mesoaggregates (60–2,000 μm) lowers in the sequence forest > grassland > wasteland >arable land and limestone > basalt > loess > glacial till. Close correlations were also found to the content of carbon and clay.     

Organic matter in size‐density fractions after 16–50 years of grass ley,cereal cropping and organic amendments

Size‐density fractionation, which was originally developed to examine short‐term decomposition of added material in sandy soil, was highly sensitive to medium‐ to long‐term changes in loam and clay soils. Materials from different size classes (>1 mm, 0.1–1 mm, 0.05–0.1 mm and <0.05 mm) were separated by density into light (ρ < 1.0 g cm⁻³), medium (1.0 < ρ < 1.85 g cm⁻³) and heavy (ρ > 1.85 g cm⁻³) fractions. In 16–18‐year cropping experiments the 0.1–1‐mm heavy fraction contained 17–19% of total carbon in ley soils compared with 7% in continuously cropped soils. Greater N‐mineralization rates after sieving of ley cropped soils could not be related to differences in C:N ratios of fractions, but this was assumed to be related to exposure of aggregate‐binding agents. In a 50‐year trial 40% of total soil carbon was contained in the 0.1–1‐mm heavy fraction in soil treated with sewage sludge compared with 7–9% in the fallow and ‘zero N’ treatments. Thus, the soils studied expressed an aggregate hierarchy dependent on organic carbon dynamics. The relative abundance of carbon in heavy organo‐mineral fractions >0.1 mm was inversely related to the relative abundance of C in black‐brown medium density material <0.1 mm, defined as uncomplexed particulate organic matter that was presumably released during ultrasonic disruption deterioration of finer (<0.1 mm) aggregated organo‐mineral particles. The size density fractionation allowed identification of materials of contrasting visual appearance, chemical qualities and, by inference, biological turnover times. However, they were found to be predominantly composite fractions and may be too complex to be represented by unique model pools.     

Extraction of nitrogen from soils

Summary A roller bed and rotary end-over-end shaker were compared for the extraction of mineral N from a variety of soil types; both were equally efficient with an optimum extraction time of 30 min. However, the roller bed permitted a greater operational capacity, a faster throughput of samples, and easier identification of sample bottles compared with the end-over-end shaker. More NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^–-N (P<0.001) was recovered from soil by 2 M KCl than by any other extractant, in a soil: extractant ratio of 1 to 5 (w:v), except water, which was equally efficient at removing NO₃ ^–-N from soils.     

亚热带典型地貌下旱地和水田可溶性有机物化学组成特征

阐明亚热带典型地貌下旱地与水田土壤可溶性有机物(DOM)化学组成差异可为农田土壤DOM稳定性评价提供理论依据。研究采用XAD-8树脂分组和热裂解气质联用仪(Py-GCMS)技术,分析比较休闲期、耕作期亚热带喀斯特山区、丘陵区及平原湖区旱地和水田土壤DOM化学组成特征。结果表明:休闲期,亲、疏水性可溶性有机碳(DOC)含量以水田(10.2、33.4 mg/kg)显著高于旱地(4.15、12.8 mg/kg),耕作期无显著性差异。与休闲期相比,耕作期水田亲、疏水性DOC含量均显著降低,而旱地亲、疏水性组分DOC含量在两个时期间保持相对稳定。休闲期旱地和水田土壤DOM中有机酸相对比例分别为31.9%、35.6%,耕作期显著降至17.9%、20.0%(P0.05)。脂类相对比例趋势与有机酸相反,旱地和水田土壤DOM中脂类相对比例在休闲期分别为55.0%、49.5%,耕作期显著增至70.1%、62.9%(P0.05)。Adonis分析表明,亲、疏水性DOC含量在旱地和水田、休闲期和耕作期差异显著(P0.05);DOM化学组成在不同时期(休闲期和耕作期)及地貌(喀斯特山区和丘陵区、丘陵区和平原湖区)差异显著(P0.05)。Random Forest分析表明,有机酸和脂类参与微生物代谢过程,在休闲期和耕作期差异显著(P0.05);芳香化合物作为DOM稳定性组分,在不同地貌区差异较大(P0.05)。总体上,田间条件下水田DOC比旱地DOC对时期响应更敏感,且土壤DOM中微生物代谢相关组分(有机酸、脂类)和稳定性组分(芳香族化合物)在不同时期及地貌区的差异性不同,这对评价旱地和水田土壤DOM稳定性及土壤有机碳积累具有一定的参考意义。     

Separation of light and heavy organic matter fractions in soil — Testing for proper density cut-off and dispersion level

Density fractionation is frequently applied to separate soil organic matter according to the degree and the mode of interaction with minerals. Density fractions are operationally defined by density cut-off and sonication intensity, which determine the nature of the separated material. However, no tests or general agreements exist on the most appropriate density cut-off as well as on method and intensity of dispersion. Numerous variants have been proposed and applied, with results often contrasting each other and being hard to interpret. Here, we aimed at separating two light fractions (free and occluded into aggregates) composed of almost pure organic material, and one heavy fraction comprising the organic–mineral associations. We tested effects of different density cut-offs and sonication intensities, in combination and separately, on fraction yields, as well as on the fractions' organic carbon, total nitrogen and lignin-derived phenols. We tried to find optimum density cut-offs and sonication intensities, providing light fractions with maximum organic material and minimum contamination by mineral material. Under the test conditions, a density of 1.6 g cm^?3 gave best results for all test soils, allowing for separation of maximums amounts of almost pure organic material. The density cut-off at 1.6 g cm^?3 is well in line with previous studies and theoretical considerations, therefore we recommend the use of this density as most suitable for separation of organic debris. Sonication levels for aggregate disruption to achieve complete separation of occluded light organic matter varied amongst soils. The necessary intensity of dispersion relates to the type of soil, depending on the stability of contained aggregates. The application of one single dispersion energy level to different soils may result either in mineral contamination or in incomplete separation of light and heavy fractions as well as in redistribution of organic material amongst fractions. This means there is no single sonication level that can be applied to all soils. Thus, obtaining a meaningful light fraction residing within aggregates (occluded light fraction) requires assessment of the dispersion energy necessary to disrupt the aggregate system of a given soil without dispersion of organic–mineral associations. This can be done in pre-experiments where the soil is fractionated at different sonication levels. The appropriate dispersion is determined by mass yields and OC content of the obtained occluded fractions.     

福州不同农田土地利用类型土壤碳氮磷生态化学计量学特征

为阐明不同土地利用类型土壤碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)生态化学计量学特征,对福州农田不同土地利用类型(水稻田、菜地和茉莉园)下的土壤全碳(TC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)含量及其生态化学计量学特征进行测定和分析。结果表明:土壤TC含量均值基本表现为水稻田菜地茉莉园(P0.05);在春、秋季节土壤TN含量均值表现为水稻田菜地茉莉园(P0.05),在夏、冬节季表现为菜地水稻田茉莉园(P0.05);在各个季节菜地土壤TP含量均值均为最大(P0.05),在冬季土壤TP含量均值达到最大(P0.05)。土壤C/N、C/P和N/P在各个土地类型下均值分别为10.17～12.89,0.46～0.86,4.76～9.61,C/N季节差异不显著,唯有夏季略高于其他季节,菜地土壤C/N在各个季节均低于水稻田和茉莉园(P0.05);C/P和N/P在全年内季节差异不显著,均表现为水稻田菜地茉莉园(P0.05)。菜地土壤C和N储量在各个季节均高于水稻田与茉莉园土壤(P0.05),各个季节里水稻田和茉莉园土壤C和N储量无明显差异,秋季各个土壤类型C和N储量基本低于其他季节(P0.05)。在各个季节P储量均值表现为菜地茉莉园水稻田(P0.05)。总体来看,与其他土壤相比,茉莉园土壤C、N、P含量最低,菜地土壤N和P含量以及储量较高,且土壤碳氮磷生态化学计量学特征在不同土地利用类型下差异显著,其生态化学计量学特征对土壤碳氮磷固持及限制性养分具有一定的指示作用。     

Water repellence and soil aggregate dynamics in a loamy grassland soil as affected by texture

It has been hypothesized that aggregate stability is partly caused by subcritical (i.e. mild) water repellence. We conducted both a field study at a pasture site and an incubation experiment in the laboratory to characterize the relationship between aggregate dynamics and water repellence. In the field study, we investigated 53 samples from a natural texture gradient for water repellence and aggregation. In the 3‐week incubation experiment, we added wheat straw to crushed soil material from five of the 53 soils representative of the texture gradient (a sandy loam, two loams, a silt loam and a clay loam), and followed changes in aggregate formation and water repellence. Although there was a dramatic increase (P < 0.0001) in aggregation in all the soils during incubation (the mean weight diameter increased from about 300 μm to at least 900 μm), we observed a concomitant increase in water repellence only in the clay loam soil (P = 0.0003). We found no significant correlations between water repellence and aggregation (n = 53, P > 0.05) in the field. Whereas correlation between aggregate formation and texture was weak in the incubation experiment, we found a significant correlation between aggregation and textural parameters in the field. The amount of large macro‐aggregates (> 2000 μm) was positively correlated with clay content (n = 53, r = 0.53, P < 0.001), and negatively with sand content (n = 53, r = ?0.46, P < 0.001). These results indicate that (i) microbially induced water repellence might only become apparent when enough easily decomposable substrate is available, (ii) soil texture affects aggregate stabilization rather than aggregate formation, and (iii) aggregate formation is not necessarily associated with an increase in water repellence.     

两种巨桉人工林地土壤抗蚀性的比较研究

[目的]揭示巨桉人工林组培苗和实生苗两种起源对土壤抗蚀性的影响。[方法]利用S形采样法在样地内采集多个样点,按上(0—10cm),中(10—20cm),下(20—30cm)三层分别利用环刀和塑料盒采集原状土壤,测定不同层次土壤容重、非毛管孔隙度、毛管孔隙度、总孔隙度、渗透速率、水稳性团聚体含量等。[结果](1)随着土壤深度增加,两种巨桉林地土壤容重呈现递增趋势,而总孔隙度和通气孔隙度呈递减趋势。组培巨桉林土壤容重低于实生苗巨桉林地,而土壤总孔隙度、通气孔隙度高于显著实生苗巨桉林地(p0.05);(2)随着土壤深度增加,两种巨桉林地土壤水稳性指数、抗蚀指数、团聚状况、团聚度和结构系数呈现下降趋势,水稳性指数和抗蚀指数达到显著水平(p0.05),而分散率和分散系数呈现升高趋势。组培巨桉林地不同土层的抗蚀指数和结构系数均高于实生苗巨桉林地,但分散系数均显著低于实生苗巨桉林地(p0.05);(3)随着土壤深度增加,两种巨桉林地土壤各粒径水稳性团聚体含量和平均重量直径(MWD)呈现出下降趋势,土壤结构体破坏率呈现上升趋势。组培苗巨桉林地不同土层各粒径(5mm;5~2mm;0.5~0.25mm;0.5mm;0.25mm)水稳性团聚体含量和MWD均高于实生苗林地,而结构体破坏率、2~1mm和1~0.5mm水稳性团聚体含量均低于实生苗巨桉林地。[结论]组培巨桉人工林的土壤抗蚀性更佳。     

Effects of Vermicompost Application on Soil Aggregation and Certain Physical Properties

Application of organic waste on agricultural land as a soil conditioner and fertilizing material has lately gained much attention. This study was conducted to determine the effects of vermicompost applications (0·5%, 1%, 2% and 4% w/w) on physical characteristics of soils with different textures (sandy loam, loam and clay), under laboratory conditions. The results indicated that in the higher soil aggregate fraction (>12·7 mm) aggregate fraction was limited at the three soils. Vermicompost applications in all three soils significantly increased organic matter content. When compared with control, the increasing rates in organic matter content were 14·0%, 23·8%, 42·0% and 90·2% for 0·5%, 1%, 2% and 4% vermicompost application doses, respectively. Vermicompost applications increased the wet aggregate stability and decreased the dispersion ratio of all the experimental soils in all aggregate size fractions. Overall, wet aggregate stability increased from 26·9% to 52·2% with the application rate of 4%. Correlation coefficient between organic matter content and wet aggregate stability was found as 0·918^**. The lowest mean bulk density and the highest mean total porosity occurred when the most vermicompost was added. In all the soils studied, the highest permeability coefficients were gained with the application dose of 2%. As a result of increase in wet aggregate stability and decrease in bulk density, air permeability increased, and penetration resistance decreased significantly. The results obtained in this study have clearly indicated that the vermicompost application is an effective way to improve soil physical characteristics. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of ultrasound to disperse soil aggregates of high mechanical stability

Questions remain about the exact ultrasonic energy level that is required to effectively disperse soil aggregates and to what extent this is accompanied by physical damage to individual soil particles. We found maximum aggregate dispersion at energy levels of 1500 J cm^–3 and no evidence for the disintegration of particles < 20 μm even at that energy level. Our findings suggest that sonication at energies much greater than those applied conventionally can disperse aggregates of high mechanical stability.     

Carbon and nitrogen distribution in water-stable aggregates under two tillage techniques in Fluvisols of Owerri area, southeastern Nigeria

Organic matter influences soil structure and compactibility by binding soil mineral particles, reducing aggregate wettability, and influencing the mechanical strength of soil aggregates, which is the measure of coherence of inter-particle bonds. This work was carried out to examine how differences in water-stable aggregates influence the distribution of soil organic carbon and soil organic nitrogen under two tillage techniques [minimum tillage (only planting holes were opened) and conventional tillage (raised beds, 30 cm high, prepared manually with traditional hoes)] in soils of a Fluvisol in Owerri, southeastern Nigeria. Three pedons were dug and studied for each of the tillage technique along a soil sequence. Soil organic carbon and soil organic nitrogen distribution in whole soil and in water-stable aggregates under minimum tillage and conventional tillage were determined for the soils. Soil organic carbon contents in water-stable aggregates (WSA) of the pedons varied according to method of tillage. The highest mean values of soil organic carbon were obtained from minimum tillage and in water-stable aggregates 4.75–2.00 mm (16.03 Mg C ha⁻¹), 1.00–0.50 mm (14.06 Mg C ha⁻¹) and water-stable aggregates 2.00–1.00 mm (13.99 Mg C ha⁻¹) whereas under conventional tillage, water-stable aggregates 1.00–0.50 mm with soil organic carbon of 24.6 Mg C ha⁻¹ had the highest soil organic carbon content. Soil organic carbon correlated significantly with mean weight diameter (r = 0.48; P = 0.05; n = 15), water-stable aggregates 4.75–2.00 mm (r = 0.73; P = 0.05; n = 15), water-stable aggregates 2.00–1.00 mm (r = 0.55; P = 0.05, n = 15), water-stable aggregates 1.00–0.50 mm (r = 0.44; P = 0.05; n = 15) whereas no relationship was found between soil organic carbon and water-stable aggregates 0.50–0.25 mm (r = 0.15; P = 0.05; n = 15) and water-stable aggregates <0.25 mm (r = 0.17; P = 0.05; n = 15) in soils under minimum tillage. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.45–0.58; P = 0.05; n = 14) between all water-stable aggregates classes studied and soil organic carbon in soils under conventional tillage. Mean values of soil organic nitrogen were higher in soils under minimum tillage with 4.75–2.00 mm and 2.00–1.00 mm aggregate classes having 1.64 Mg N ha⁻¹ and 1.57 Mg N ha⁻¹ soil organic nitrogen when compared to 1.01 Mg N ha⁻¹ and 1.00 Mg N ha⁻¹ in conventionally tilled soils of the same aggregate classes, respectively. Larger water-stable aggregate classes (4.75–2.00; 2.00–1.00) had slightly more soil organic nitrogen (22–26%) than smaller aggregate classes (1.00–0.50; 0.50–0.25; >0.25) with 14–24% soil organic nitrogen in minimum tilled soils. In soils under conventional tillage, 1.00–0.50 mm, 0.50–0.25 mm and <0.25 mm aggregate classes contributed more soil organic nitrogen (19.66–22.40%) to the soil whereas larger water-stable aggregate classes contributed 19.22% soil organic nitrogen. The proportion of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen retained in soils with higher percentage of water-stable aggregates are less likely to be lost through soil and wind erosion. The higher values of SOC in the whole soil and WSA classes less than 2.00 mm are indications of positive influence of SOC on the stability of these peds.     

Free and intra‐aggregate organic matter as indicators of soil quality change in volcanic soils under contrasting crop rotations

Soil physical fractionation techniques may provide indicators of changing soil organic carbon (SOC) content; however, they have not been widely tested on volcanic soils (Andisols). In this study, we assessed two fractions as potential indicators in volcanic soils, using two sites in Chile converted from natural grassland to arable and mixed crop rotations, 8 and 16 yr previously. In the 8‐yr experiment, SOC had declined under all rotations, with smaller changes where the rotation included 3 or 5 yr of perennial pasture. Whereas the average SOC was only 76% of the level in the preceding natural grassland, the corresponding value after 16 yr for the second site was 98% (and 93% under continuous arable), probably reflecting its high allophane clay content. The fractionation procedure tested proved applicable to both Andisols, but the intra‐aggregate light fraction (IA‐SOM, isolated in sodium iodide solution at 1.80 g/cm³ after ultrasonic dispersion) accounted for a very small proportion of total SOC (<1%). We suggest that in Andisols, the free light fraction (FR‐SOM, isolated in sodium iodide at solution of the same density, but prior to ultrasonic dispersion) is stabilised to a greater extent than in nonvolcanic soils, and the intra‐aggregate fraction plays a more minor role as a pool of intermediate turnover. The relative value of each fraction needs to be confirmed through dynamic experiments, using more sites, and including situations where SOC content is initially low.