Soil organic matter in water-stable aggregates under different soil management practices in a productive vineyard

In a productive vineyard, the influence of different soil management practices on carbon sequestration and its dynamic in water-stable aggregates of Rendzin Leptosol was studied. In 2006, an experiment of different management practices in a productive vineyard was established in the locality of Nitra-Dra?ovce, in the Nitra winegrowing area of Slovakia. The following treatments were established: (1) control (grass without fertilization); (2) T (tillage); (3) T + FM (tillage + farmyard manure); (4) G + NPK3 (grass + NPK 120–55–195 kg ha^?1); and (5) G + NPK1 (grass + NPK 80–35–135 kg ha^?1). The results showed that the lowest soil organic matter content (9.70 g kg^?1) in water-stable microaggregates was determined in G + NPK3, as well as in T. However, the highest soil organic matter content in the highest size fractions of water-stable macroaggregates (>5 mm) was observed in T + FM (19.7 g kg^?1). The highest value for carbon sequestration capacity in water-stable microaggregates was observed in the ploughed farmyard manure treatment. However, the control treatment showed the highest values for carbon sequestration capacity in water-stable macroaggregates, including agronomically favourable size fractions (0.5–3 mm). In all soil management practices under a productive vineyard the most intensive changes in the soil organic matter content were observed in the highest size fractions (>3 mm) of water-stable macroaggregates.     

Soil organic matter and sorption capacity under different soil management practices in a productive vineyard

The effect of soil organic matter (SOM) on sorptive parameters under different soil management practices in Rendzic Leptosol was studied. In 2006, an experiment of different management practices in a productive vineyard was established in the locality of Nitra-Dra?ovce (Slovakia). The following treatments were established: (1) control (grass without fertilization), (2) T (tillage), (3) T + FYM (tillage + farmyard manure), (4) G + NPK3 (grass + 3rd intensity of fertilization for vineyards), (5) G + NPK1 (grass + 1st intensity of fertilization for vineyards). Soil samples were collected every month during the year 2010. Obtained results showed increased hydrolytic acidity (by 23%), sum of basic cations (by 37%) and decreased total cation exchange capacity (CEC) (by 36%) with higher doses of fertilization in comparison to control. Application of farmyard manure had a positive effect on the increase in the SOM cation sorption capacity. Positive correlations between pH and sum of basic cations (SBC) (r = 0.493, p ≤ 0.001), CEC (r = 0.498, p ≤ 0.001) and cation sorption capacity of SOM (r = 0.391, p ≤ 0.01) were observed. Higher values of labile carbon:potentially mineralizable nitrogen (C_L:N_pot) ratio corresponded with lesser CEC, SBC and base saturation values in the soil. With increased humus quality (higher values of humic acid:fulvic acid (C_HA:C_FA) ratio), cation sorption capacity of SOM significantly increased (r = 0.329, p ≤ 0.01). The results of this study proved that the application of farmyard manure had a positive effect on the increase of SOM sorption capacity, but higher doses of mineral fertilizers added to soil had a negative effect.     

长期定位试验条件下的水稻田土壤有机质含量变化研究

依托湖北武汉、重庆北碚、湖南望城、湖南祁阳、江西南昌、浙江杭州6个水稻土壤肥力长期定位试验历史样品及数据,分析和讨论了土壤有机质含量变化趋势及对施化肥和有机肥的响应差异。施有机肥提升土壤有机质含量显著高于施化肥的效果。施化肥NPK处理,6个试验点土壤有机质含量都呈现提升趋势;但是,有机质平均年增量、有机质累计增量与累计有机肥施用量的比值都是逐年下降的,固定施肥方法提高土壤有机质含量是有限的,最高达到平衡点,施化肥的有机质含量的平衡点低于施有机肥的,土壤有机质含量提升不仅对施有机肥有响应,而且与累积产量也有一定的相关关系。     

长期不同施肥条件下黑土的有机质含量变化特征

以吉林公主岭黑土有机肥化肥配施30年长期定位试验结果为材料,分析了长期不同施肥下黑土有机质的变化特征。结果表明,长期不施肥或单施化肥(M0区)土壤有机质含量呈下降趋势,30年下降幅度为2.1%～7.9%;施用常量有机肥(M2区)和高量有机肥(M4区)的土壤有机质含量呈增加趋势,30年M2区和M4区有机质累积增加幅度分别为42.2%～50.0%和81.5%～94.7%。M2区和M4区有机质增加幅度因施用有机肥中有机质含量的变化可分为两个阶段,1980～1992年增加幅度分别平均为2.4%和9.3%,12年后随着有机肥中有机质含量增加,后18年M2区和M4区有机质累积增加幅度分别平均为41.4%和71.5%。施用相同化肥条件下配施不同水平有机肥,各处理间土壤有机质含量差异达到显著水平;而在施用相同有机肥条件下配施不同化肥时,各处理间有机质含量差异不显著。由此可以得出,有机肥的数量和有机质含量是影响土壤有机质含量变化的主要因素,因此,选择合适的有机肥数量和有机质含量是提升土壤有机质的主要措施,在东北黑土上施用优质高量有机肥可迅速提高土壤有机质含量。     

Declines of soil organic matter content under arable cropping in southeast Norway

Abstract

Changes in soil organic matter (SOM) content are presented for a 25 ha research farm, based on measurements in 1952, 1976, 1986 and 2002, and for 291 arable fields located throughout southeast Norway, which were sampled in around 1991 and again in 2001. Large declines were found in most cases at the research farm, especially for soils with high initial levels of SOM. The declines between 1952 and 1976 were thought to be partly due to increased depth of ploughing and improved drainage, while those in the latter period may in part be related to climatic change. Declines were also found since 1990 in the majority of the arable fields sampled, and the declines were proportional to the initial SOM level in this case also. No single causative factor was isolated for these declines, but the proportions of autumn tillage and of row crops in the rotation may be involved. A mean relative decline rate of around 1% per year of the initial SOM level was observed both at the research farm and in the arable fields. There was, however, also an indication that the percentage relative decline rate was proportional to one-tenth of the initial SOM. These two alternative scenarios suggest that soils with current SOM levels of 4%, 6% and 10%, will reach a possibly ‘critical’ level of 3% in 30–80, 70–165 and 120–230 years time, respectively.     

The quality of exogenous organic matter: short-term effects on soil physical properties and soil organic matter fractions

We examined the short-term effect of five organic amendments and compared them to plots fertilized with inorganic fertilizer and unfertilized plots on aggregate stability and hydraulic conductivity, and on the OC and ON distribution in physically separated SOM fractions. After less than 1 year, the addition of organic amendments significantly increased ( P  <   0.01) the aggregate stability and hydraulic conductivity. The stability index ranged between 0.97 and 1.76 and the hydraulic conductivity between 1.23 and 2.80 × 10⁻³ m/s for the plots receiving organic amendments, compared with 0.34–0.43, and 0.42–0.64 × 10⁻³ m/s, respectively, for the unamended plots. There were significant differences between the organic amendments (P <  0.01), although these results were not unequivocal for both soil physical parameters. The total OC and ON content were significantly increased ( P  <   0.05) by only two applications of organic fertilizers: between 1.10 and 1.51% OC for the amended plots versus 0.98–1.08% for the unamended and between 0.092 and 0.131% ON versus 0.092–0.098% respectively. The amount of OC and ON in the free particulate organic matter fraction was also significantly increased ( P  <   0.05), but there were no significant differences ( P  <   0.05) in the OC and ON content in the POM occluded in micro-aggregates and in the silt + clay-sized organic matter fraction. The results showed that even in less than 1 year pronounced effects on soil physical properties and on the distribution of OC and ON in the SOM fractions occurred.     

Long-term effects of agronomic practices on the soil organic carbon sequestration in Chernozem

The study was based on data from selected long-term field trials established at the Experimental Fields of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad (Serbia). The effect of tillage systems on SOC concentration and SOC stock was most pronounced at 0–10 cm depth. In a 0–40 cm soil layer, in a 7-year period, no-till (NT) sequestrated 863 kg SOC ha^?1 yr^?1 more compared to moldboard plow tillage (PT), while the effects of disc tillage (DT) and chisel tillage (CT) were not significantly different. Unfertilized three-crop rotation (CSW) compared to two-crop rotation (CW) enhanced SOC storage in a 0–30 cm soil layer by 151 kg C ha^?1 yr^?1 in a 56-year period. Within fertilized treatments, SOC concentration was highest under continuous corn (CC). Mineral fertilization (F) non-significantly increased the SOC stock compared to no fertilization in corn monoculture in a 32-year period. The incorporation of mineral fertilizers and harvest residues (F + HR) and mineral fertilizers and farmyard manure (F + FYM) sequestered 195 and 435 kg C ha^?1 yr^?1 more than the unfertilized plot, respectively, in a 0–30 cm soil layer, in a 35-year period. Irrigation did not significantly affect SOC sequestration.     

Redistribution and loss of soil organic carbon by overland flow under various soil management practices on the Chinese Loess Plateau

Field rainfall simulations with intensities of 85 and 170 mm/h were conducted in 2002 and 2005 on a 15-m long slope on a loess soil in Luoyang, Henan Province, P. R. China to study the effects of different soil management practices on the redistribution and loss of soil organic carbon (SOC) by runoff and soil erosion. Field plots under winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) were set up in 2001 and included the following soil management practices: subsoiling with mulch (SSM), no-till with mulch (NTM), reduced tillage (RT) and conventional tillage control (CT). The results showed that SOC for topsoil (0–20 cm) increased in the NTM and SSM plots when compared with results from 2002 and 2005. For all treatments, SOC in the lower part of the plots was higher in 2005 than in 2002. The values from the upper parts of the plots were only lower in 2005 compared with the overall values for 2002 for RT and CT. The enrichment ratio of organic carbon (ER_oc) in runoff sediment varied from 1.01 to 2.24 with a mean of 1.25. During the simulated rainfall events, ER_oc was initially high and then reduced after a short period to reach a steady value at the end of the event, always remaining ≥1. The change in SOC loss rate was more dependent on the sediment loss rate than on the changes in SOC concentration in the sediment. The best results in terms of a reduction in soil and SOC loss were obtained with NTM: no runoff and hence no soil and SOC loss were observed. SOC losses observed for SSM were on average only 4% of those observed for CT. RT resulted in 71% SOC loss compared with CT although the runoff reduction was not pronounced. For farmers, SSM and NTM are the best alternatives in terms of SOC conservation. NTM has the additional advantage that it requires less labour and is more beneficial from economic and environmental perspectives.     

Nutrient content of maize and soil organic matter status under various tillage methods and farmyard manure levels

Abstract

A two-year field study was conducted under semi-arid conditions in Pakistan to assess the role of tillage systems and farmyard manure on soil, plant nutrients and organic matter content. Four tillage systems (zero, minimum, conventional and deep tillage) and three farm manure levels were used. Maize crop was grown up to maturity. Uptake of N, P and K in maize shoots improved in tillage systems compared to non-tillage and treatments where farmyard manure was applied. Soil N status decreased in the deep tillage systems, whereas it increased in all other tillage systems and in the farmyard manure amended treatments. Increase in soil P values was observed under minimum and conventional tillage, whereas deep tillage resulted in a decrease. Farmyard manure amendments increased soil P and soil K in all systems. Tillage did not affect soil K levels. Results demonstrate that reduced tillage is practicable in arid and semi-arid regions since it improves 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.     

长期施肥棕壤有机硫矿化特征及其驱动力

[目的]探究长期不同施肥对土壤有机硫矿化量、动力学特征和酶活性的影响,揭示玉米–大豆轮作体系中棕壤有机硫矿化特征及其主要驱动因子.[方法]沈阳农业大学长期定位试验于1979年建立,为玉米–玉米–大豆(一年一熟)轮作模式.试验设置15个处理,本研究选取了其中7个处理,分别为:CK(不施肥)、N1(低量化学氮肥)、N2(高...     

多种潮土有机质高光谱预测模型的对比分析

为了对比不同方法建模效果的差异,筛选潮土有机质高光谱最佳预测模型,该研究采集国家潮土土壤肥力与肥料效益长期监测站不同施肥处理耕层土样83份,采用25种光谱预处理方法(15种单一预处理方法,10种预处理方法相加算法)结合3种建模方法(多元线性回归、偏最小二乘回归、支持向量机回归),构建不同的潮土有机质高光谱预测模型。对比模型预测结果表明,最佳光谱建模方法是偏最小二乘回归法,该方法结合多种预处理方法均获得了较高的模型预测精度和可靠性,25个检验模型的平均决定系数、均方根误差值RMSEv和相对分析误差RPD值分别为0.913、1.264 g/kg和3.299。使用预处理方法相加算法能更好地提升模型精度,相比使用单一预处理方法,3种建模方法的检验模型平均决定系数分别提高了0.049、0.033和0.071,RMSEv分别降低了0.318、0.204和0.528 g/kg,RPD值分别提高了0.530、0.307和1.144。先用多元散射校正法再进行5个平滑点数的一阶导数预处理在3种建模方法中表现均较好(平均决定系数=0.934,平均RMSEv=1.17 g/kg,平均RPD=3.59),可作为潮土有机质预测模型的通用预处理方法。偏最小二乘回归模型结合最大值标准化预处理所建模型(决定系数=0.948,RMSEv=0.972 g/kg,RPD=4.276)精度高、可靠性强,且建模过程数据运算更为简便,是筛选出的最佳潮土有机质高光谱预测模型。该研究结果对潮土有机质高光谱预测建模有一定的指导作用,并为筛选最佳高光谱预测模型提供技术参考。     

Labile and stable pools of organic matter in soil amended with sewage sludge biochar

One of the main advantages of using biochar for agricultural purposes is its ability to store carbon (C) in soil for a long-term. Studies of labile and stable fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) may be a good indicator of the dynamics of biochar in soils. This study evaluated the effects of applying sewage sludge biochar (SSB) in combination with mineral fertilizer on fractions of SOM. To conduct this evaluation, 15 Mg ha^?1 of SSB combined or not with mineral fertilizer (NPK) was applied to the soil in two cropping seasons. Apart from total organic C (TOC), the labile and stable fractions of SOM were also determined. The combined use of SSB and NPK resulted in higher TOC, a 22% to 40% increase compared to the control and to the NPK treatments, respectively. The SSB produced at a lower temperature increased the labile fractions of SOM, especially the microbial biomass C, showing its capacity to supply nutrients in the short-term. The stable pools of SOM are increased after adding SSB produced at a higher temperature. It was concluded that pyrolysis temperature is a key-factor that determines the potential of SSB to accumulate C in labile and stable fractions of SOM.     

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.     

Long-term changes in soil organic matter under conventional tillage and no-tillage systems in semiarid Morocco

Abstract. A no-tillage (NT) system was developed in semiarid Morocco to improve the soil fertility and stabilize yield through conservation of water. Results in two long-term trials (4 and 11 years) were able to show the effects of a no-tillage system in increasing total soil organic matter and total nitrogen. Over time, the quality of the NT soil surface was improved compared with that under conventional tillage (CT) with disc harrows. This effect was the result of an increase in soil organic carbon (SOC) and a slight decline in pH. However, over time, nitrogen decreased in both tillage practices, especially in the 0–25 mm layer (from 0.59 to 0.57 t ha⁻¹ and from 0.44 to 0.42 t ha⁻¹ under NT and CT, respectively). After 4 years of NT an extra 5.62 t ha⁻¹ of SOC was sequestered in the 0–25 mm layer, and after 11 years the SOC increased further to 7.21 t ha⁻¹.     

Nitrogen mineralization in soil layers, soil particles and macro-organic matter under grassland

 A study was conducted to determine mineralization rates in the field and in different soil layers under three grassland managements (viz. a reseeded sward, a permanent sward with a conventional N management, and a long-term grass sward with 0 N (0-N) input). Potential mineralization rates of soil particles (sand, silt and clay) and macro-organic matter fractions of different sizes (i.e. 0.2–0.5, 0.5–2.0 and >2 mm) were also determined in the laboratory. In the reseeded plots, net mineralization was unchanged down to 40 cm depth. In the undisturbed conventional-N swards, mineralization rates were substantially higher in the top layer (0–10 cm) than in the deeper layers. In plots which had received no fertilizer N, mineralization was consistently low in all the layers. There was more macro-organic matter (MOM) in the 0-N plots (equivalent to 23 g kg^–1 soil for 0–40 cm) than in the two fertilized plots (i.e. conventional-N and reseeded) which contained similar amounts (ca. 15 g kg^–1 soil). C and N contents of separated soil particles did not differ amongst the treatments, but there were large differences with depth. Potential mineralization in the bulk soil was greatest in the 0–10 cm layers and gradually decreased with depth in all the treatments. Separated sand particles had negligible rates of potential mineralization and the clay component had the highest rates in the subsurface layers (10–40 cm). MOMs had high potential rate of mineralization in the surface layer and decreased with soil depth, but there was no clear pattern in the differences between different size fractions. Received: 17 November 1997     

长期施肥对栗褐土有机碳矿化的影响

【目的】 土壤有机碳矿化是土壤中重要的生物化学过程,与土壤养分的释放、土壤质量的保持以及温室气体的形成密切相关。本文以 25 年长期定位施肥试验为依托,对栗褐土土壤有机碳矿化速率、有机碳累积矿化量的动态变化进行研究,为科学管理土壤肥力、增加栗褐土碳汇、减少温室气体排放提供依据。 【方法】 田间试验开始于 1988,共设置 8 个施肥处理:不施肥 (CK);单施氮肥 (N);氮磷肥合施 (NP);单施低量有机肥(M₁);低量有机肥与氮肥合施 (M₁N);低量有机肥与氮磷肥合施(M₁NP);高量有机肥与氮肥合施 (M₂N);高量有机肥与氮磷肥合施 (M₂NP)。于 2013 年玉米播种前,采集耕层 (0—20 cm) 土壤样品,采用室内培养方法,对土壤碳矿化释放 CO₂ 的数量和速率进行测定,并利用一级动力学方程计算出土壤有机碳库潜在矿化势和周转速率。 【结果】 各肥料处理不同程度地提高了栗褐土总有机碳含量,以高量有机肥与化肥配施作用最为显著。与 CK 相比,M₂N、M₂NP 处理土壤总有机碳含量增加了 121.1%、166.8%。不同处理土壤样品培养有机碳矿化速率均在第一天达到峰值,随后急剧下降。5 d 后,下降趋缓,不同处理 CO₂ 产生速率趋于一致。培养期间,各处理矿化速率变化符合对数函数关系。长期施用不同肥料均可以提高栗褐土有机碳的矿化速率,其大小顺序为:有机肥与化肥配施 > 单施有机肥 > 单施化肥 > 对照。培养 57 d 后,各处理土壤有机碳累积矿化量为 555.0～980.3 mg/kg,以 M₂NP、M₁N 的累积量较高,为对照的 1.77 倍、1.73 倍。长期施肥栗褐土有机碳矿化率呈下降趋势,以处理 M₂NP 下降最明显,与对照相比,降低了 6.3 个百分点。施肥处理土壤的潜在矿化势均高于对照,M₁N、M₂NP 最高,为 923.7 mg/kg 和 926.4 mg/kg,较对照增加了 74.0% 和 74.5%。不同施肥处理均可明显提升土壤有机碳的周转速率,减少周转时间,其中处理 M₁NP、M₂NP 效果最为明显。 【结论】 长期施用化肥、有机肥及有机无机肥配施可有效促进栗褐土有机碳的积累,提高有机碳的矿化速率和周转速率,降低有机碳的矿化率 (累积矿化量占有机碳总量的比率),加强了土壤的固碳能力,以 M₂NP 处理的效果更佳。      

含水率对土壤有机质含量高光谱估算的影响

土壤含水率对有机质(soil organic matter,SOM)含量高光谱估算精度有很大的影响。为了探讨SOM高光谱估算中土壤含水率的影响,该文对烘干土、风干土和质量含水率为5%~40%(按5%递增)的土壤样本进行了室内高光谱测量,对光谱数据进行了反射率、反射率一阶导数和反射率倒数对数3种光谱数据变换,运用偏最小二乘回归法(partial least squares regression,PLSR)建立了相应的SOM估算模型。结果表明,风干土的SOM高光谱估算精度较好;当含水率水平小于25%时,SOM估算模型精度受含水率的影响较大,光谱数据进行反射率倒数对数变换后的模型精度最高;当含水率水平大于等于25%时,水分对土壤光谱反射率的影响要大于SOM,不适宜利用土壤光谱数据进行SOM含量高光谱估算。该研究可为大田环境不同含水率情况下光谱估算SOM提供参考。     

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.