Water Stability of Soil Aggregates in a 50-Year-Old Soil Formation Experiment on Calcareous Glacial Till

A field trial investigated the effect of improved soil structure on wheat yield. Krilium, a synthetic polyelectrolyte soil conditioner, was used to improve structure. The water stability of the soil aggregates was significantly increased on the plots treated with the conditioner. The conditioner treated plots also had significantly higher yields and 1000-grain weights than the untreated plots. The effect of the soil conditioner persisted into the year after cropping, when the plots were sown to Barrel Medic (Medicago tribuloides Desr.). The Barrel Medic establishment was significantly greater on the conditioner treated plots.

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Comparison of alternative farming systems. III. Soil aggregate stability

American Journal of Alternative Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0889189300004884 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 27-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

J.L. Jordahl ◽

D.L. Karlen

Keyword(s):

Soil Water ◽

Soil Aggregates ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Aggregate Stability ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Animal Manure ◽

Matter Content ◽

Water Stability ◽

Alternative Farming ◽

Alternative Practices

AbstractQuantitative studies are needed to separate the real and supposed benefits of alternative farming practices. Our objective was to learn how conventional and alternative practices on adjacent farms in central Iowa affected the water stability of soil aggregates. We collected samples of Clarion loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludoll) from adjacent 16 ha fields in fall 1990 and spring 1991. Aggregate stability was determined by wet-sieving and by measuring turbidity of soil-water suspensions. The combined effects of alternative practices resulted in greater water stability of soil aggregates, higher soil organic matter content, and lower bulk density compared with conventional practices. The components of the alternative system that were mainly responsible for these differences were: rotations that included oat and hay crops; ridge-tillage; and additions of 45 Mg/ha of a mixture of animal manure and municipal sludge during the first 3 years of each 5 year rotation. The more favorable soil physical conditions, shown by increased water stability of soil aggregates, presumably will improve soil water regimes and reduce long-term soil erosion losses from the alternatively managed fields.

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Effects of Beef Cattle Manure on Water-stability of Soil Aggregates

Soil Science Society of America Journal ◽

10.2136/sssaj1977.03615995004100030038x ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 613-615 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

A. P. Mazurak ◽

Leon Chesnin ◽

A. Amir Thueel

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Soil Aggregates ◽

Cattle Manure ◽

Water Stability

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RELATIONSHIP OF POROSITY TO WATER STABILITY IN BELTSVILLE SOIL AGGREGATES

Soil Science ◽

10.1097/00010694-195512000-00004 ◽

1955 ◽

Vol 80 (6) ◽

pp. 449-458 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

EDWARD STRICKLING

Keyword(s):

Soil Aggregates ◽

Water Stability ◽

Relationship Of

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The effect of various cations on the waterstability of soil aggregates

Agricultural and Food Science ◽

10.23986/afsci.71527 ◽

1960 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 211-218

Author(s):

Mikko Sillanpää

Keyword(s):

Soil Aggregates ◽

Clay Soils ◽

Water Stability ◽

Submerged Condition ◽

Limited Size ◽

Size Fractions ◽

Wet Sieving

The effects of various cations on the aggregation of four clay soils were studied. To avoid errors and variation and to obtain clear differences between the treatments only certain limited size fractions of aggregates were used. The samples were wetted slowly by capillarity with the treatment solutions, allowed to stand in a submerged condition, air-dried, rewetted and analyzed by the wet sieving method. The results bring out rather distinct differences among the effects of various cations. The water stability of aggregates was a function of the concentration of the treatment solutions.

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