Abstract
Purpose
Because the stability of soil aggregates is affected by many factors, we studied aggregates formed in forest and agricultural soils in different soil types (Cambisols, Luvisols, Chernozems). We evaluated: (1) the differences in water-stable aggregates (WSA) as related to soil type and land management and (2) the relationships between quantitative and qualitative parameters of soil organic matter (SOM), particle-size distribution and individual size classes of WSA.
Materials and methods
Soil samples were taken from three localities (Soběšice, Báb, Vieska nad Žitavou). Each study locality included both a forest and an agricultural soil-sampling area.
Results and discussion
We found that in forest soils, the proportion of water-stable macroaggregates (WSAma) relative to water-stable microaggregates (WSAmi) was greater than in agricultural soils. When all soils were assessed together, positive statistically significant correlations were observed between the size classes WSAma > 1 mm and organic carbon (Corg) content; however, the WSAmi content was negatively correlated with Corg content. Favorable humus quality positively influenced the stabilization of WSAma > 5 mm; however, we found it had a negative statistically significant effect on stabilization of WSAma 1–0.25 mm. In agricultural soils, the stabilization of WSAma was associated with humified, i.e., stable SOM. The WSAma content was highly positively influenced mainly by fulvic acids bound with clay and sesquioxides; therefore, we consider this humus fraction to be a key to macroaggregate stability in the studied agricultural soils. On the other side, all fractions of humic and fulvic acids participated on the formation of WSAma in forest soil, which is a major difference in organic stabilization agents of macroaggregates between studied forest and agricultural soils. Another considerable difference is that WSAmi in agricultural soils were stabilized primarily with humic acids and in forest soils by fulvic acids. Moreover, in forest soils, a higher content of labile carbon in WSA had a positive effect on formation of WSAmi.
Conclusions
The observed changes in individual size classes of WSA and interactions between SOM, particle-size distribution, and WSA have a negative impact on soil fertility and thereby endanger agricultural sustainability.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Asano M, Wagai R (2014) Evidence of aggregate hierarchy at micro- to submicron scales in allophonic Andisol. Geoderma 216:62–74
Balashov E, Buchkina N (2011) Impact of short- and long-term agricultural use of chernozem on its quality indicators. Int Agrophys 25:1–5
Barthes BG, Kouakoua ET, Larre-Larrouy MC, Razafimbelo TM, de Luca EF, Azontonde A, Neves CSVJ, de Freitas PL, Feller CL (2008) Texture and sesquioxide effects on water-stable aggregates and organic matter in some tropical soils. Geoderma 143:14–25
Barto EK, Alt F, Oelmann Y, Wilcke W, Rillig MC (2010) Contributions of biotic and abiotic factors to soil aggregation across a land use gradient. Soil Biol Biochem 42:2316–2324
Blanco-Canqui H, Lal R (2007) Soil structure and organic carbon relationships following 10 years of wheat straw management in no-till. Soil Tillage Res 95:240–254
Blavet D, De Noni G, Le Bissonnais Y, Leonard M, Maillo L, Laurent JY, Asseline J, Leprun JC, Arshad MA, Roose E (2009) Effect of land use and management on the early stages of soil water erosion in French Mediterranean vineyards. Soil Tillage Res 106:124–136
Bronick CJ, Lal R (2005) Soil structure and land management: a review. Geoderma 124:3–22
Bryk M (2016) Macrostructure of diagnostic B horizons relative to underlying BC and C horizons in Podzols, Luvisol, Cambisol, and Arenosol evaluated by image analysis. Geoderma 263:86–103
Cao Z, Wang Y, Li J, Zhang J, He N (2016) Soil organic carbon contents, aggregate stability, and humic acid composition in different alpine grasslands in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. J Mt Sci 13:2015–2027
Carter MR (1992) Influence of reduced tillage systems on organic matter, microbial biomass, macro-aggregate distribution and structural stability of the surface soil in a humid climate. Soil Tillage Res 23(4):361–372
Chaplot V, Cooper M (2015) Soil aggregate stability to predict organic carbon outputs from soils. Geoderma 243–244:205–213
Dexter AR (1988) Advances in characterization of soil structure. Soil Tillage Res 11:199–238
Dou S, Guan S, Chen G, Wang G (2013) Dynamics of newly formed humic acid and fulvic acid in aggregates after addition of the 14C-labelled wheat straw in a typic Hapludoll of northeast China. In: Xu J, Wu J, He Y (eds) Functions of Natural Organic Matter in Changing Environment. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 31–36
Dziadowiec H, Gonet SS (1999) Methodical guide-book for soil organic matter studies. Polish Society of Soil Science, Warszawa (in Polish)
Fiala K, Kobza J, Matušková Ľ, Brečková V, Makovníková J, Barančíková G, Búrik V, Litavec T, Houšková B, Chromaničová A, Váradiová A, Pechová B (1999) Obligatory methods of soil analyses. Partial monitoring system—soil. Soil Science and Conservation Research Institute, Bratislava (in Slovak)
Field DJ, Minasny B, Gaggin M (2006) Modelling aggregate liberation and dispersion of three soil types exposed to ultrasonic agitation. Aust J Soil Res 44:497–502
Gaida AM, Przewloka B, Gawryjolek K (2013) Changes in soil quality associated with tillage system applied. Int Agrophys 27:133–141
Garbout A, Munkholm LJ, Hansen SB (2013) Temporal dynamics for soil aggregates determined using X-ray CT scanning. Geoderma 204-205:15–22
Greenland DJ, Rimmer D, Payne D (1975) Determination of the structural stability class of English and Welsh soil, using a water coherence test. J Soil Sci 2:294–303
Guimaraes DV, Gonzaga MIS, da Silva TO, da Silva TL, da Silva DN, Matias MIS (2013) Soil organic matter pools and carbon fractions in soil under different land uses. Soil Tillage Res 126:177–182
IUSS Working Group WRB (2006) World reference base for soil resources 2006. 2nd edition. World Soil Resources Reports No. 103. FAO, Rome
Józefaciuk G, Czachor H (2014) Impact of organic matter, iron oxides, alumina, silica and drying on mechanical and water stability of artificial soil aggregates. Assessment of new method to study water stability. Geoderma 221–222:1–10
Kimura A, Baptista MB, Scotti MR (2017) Soil humic acid and aggregation as restoration indicators of a seasonally flooded riparian forest under buffer zone system. Ecol Eng 98:146–156
Kotzé E, Loke PF, Akhosi-Setaka MC, Du Preez CC (2016) Land use change affecting soil humic substances in three semi-arid agro-ecosystems in South Africa. Agric Ecosyst Environ 216:194–202
Kögel-Knabner I, Ekschmitt K, Flessa H, Guggenberger G, Matzner E, Marschner B, von Lützow M (2008) An intergrative approach of organic matter stabilization in temperate soils: linking chemistry, physics and biology. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 171:5–13
Körschens M (2002) Importance of soil organic matter for biomass production and environment a review. Arch Agron Soil Sci 48:89–94
Krol A, Lipiec J, Turski M, Kus J (2013) Effects of organic and conventional management on physical properties of soil aggregates. Int Agrophys 27:15–21
Kurakov AV, Kharin SA (2012) The formation of water-stable coprolite aggregates in soddy-podzolic soils and the participation of fungi in this process. Eur Soil Sci 45:429–434
Lado M, Ben-Hur M, Shainberg I (2004) Soil wetting and texture effects on aggregate stability, seal formation, and erosion. Soil Sci Soc Am J 68:1992–1999
Lal R, Shukla MK (2004) Principles of Soil Physics. Marcel Dekker, New York, USA
Li C, Cao Z, Chang J, Zhang Y, Zhu G, Zong N, He Y, Zhang J, He N (2017) Elevational gradient affect functional fractions of soil organic carbon and aggregates stability in a Tibetan alpine meadow. Catena 156:139–148
Liu MY, Chang QR, Qi YB, Liu J, Chen T (2014) Aggregation and soil organic carbon fractions under different land uses on the tableland of the Loess Plateau of China. Catena 115:19–28
Loginow W, Wisniewski W, Gonet SS, Ciescinska B (1987) Fractionation of organic carbon based on susceptibility to oxidation. Polish J Soil Sci 20:47–52
Oades JM (1993) The role of biology in the formation, stabilisation and degradation of soil structure. Geoderma 56:377–400
Onweremadu EU, Onyia VN, Anikwe MAN (2007) Carbon and nitrogen distribution in water-stable aggregates under two tillage techniques in Fluvisols of Owerri area, southeastern Nigeria. Soil Till Res 97:195–206
Paradelo R, van Oort F, Chenu C (2013) Water-dispersible clay in bare fallow soils after 80 years of continuous fertilizer addition. Geoderma 200-201:40–44
Pardo M, Giampaolo S, Almendros G (1997) Effect of cultivation on physical speciation of humic substances and plant nutrients in aggregate fractions of crusting soil from Zimbabwe. Biol Fertil Soils 25(1):95–102
Peth S, Horn R, Beckmann F, Donath T, Fischer J, Smucker AJM (2008) Three-dimensional quantification of intra-aggregate pore-space features using synchrotron-radiation-based microtomography. Soil Sci Soc Am J 72:897–907
Polláková N (2012) Soil physical properties of arable soil converted into forest soil with growth of introduced Japanese cedar. Acta phytotech zootech 15:42–46
Polláková N (2013) Soil subtypes classified in Nature Reserve Arboretum Mlyňany, Slovakia. Folia Oecol 40:91–96
Rabbi SMF, Lockwood PV, Daniel H (2010) How do microaggregates stabilize soil organic matter? 19th World Congress of Soil Science, Soil Solutions for a Changing World 1–6 August 2010. Brisbane, Australia
Rabbi SMF, Wilson BR, Lockwood PV, Daniel H, Young IM (2015) Aggregate hierarchy and carbon mineralization in two Oxisols of New South Wales, Australia. Soil Till Res 146:193–203
Rajkai K, Tóth B, Barna G, Hernádi H, Kocsis M, Makó A (2015) Particle-size and organic matter effects on structure and water retention of soils. Biologia 70:1456–1461
Roger-Estrade J, Anger C, Bertrand M, Richard G (2010) Tillage and soil ecology: partners for sustainable agriculture. Soil Till Res 111:33–40
Saha D, Kukal SS, Sharma S (2011) Land use impacts on SOC fractions and aggregate stability in typic ustochrepts of Northwest India. Plant Soil 339:457–470
Samahadthai P, Vityakon P, Saenjan P (2010) Effects of different quality plant residues on soil carbon accumulation and aggregate formation in a tropical sandy soil in northeast Thailand as revealed by a 10-year field experiment. Land Degrad Dev 21:463–473
Schacht K, Marschner B (2015) Treated wastewater irrigation effects on soil hydraulic conductivity and aggregate stability of loamy soils in Israel. J Hydrol Hydromech 63:47–54
Schweizer SA, Fischer H, Häring V, Stahr K (2017) Soil structure breakdown following land use change from forest to maize in Northwest Vietnam. Soil Till Res 166:10–17
Shujie M, Yunfa Q, Lianren Z (2009) Aggregation stability and microbial activity of China’s black soils under different long-term fertilisation regimes. New Zealand J Agric Res 52:57–67
Six J, Bossuyt H, Degryze S, Denef K (2004) A history of research on the link between (micro)aggregates, soil biota, and soil organic matter dynamics. Soil Till Res 79:7–31
Slowinska-Jurkiewicz A, Bryk M, Medvedev VV (2013) Long-term organic fertilization on chernozem structure. Int Agrophys 27:81–87
Spaccini R, Zena A, Igwe C, Mbagwu JSC, Piccolo A (2001) Carbohydrates in water-stable aggregates and particle size fractions of forested and cultivated soils in two contrasting tropical ecosystems. Biogeochemistry 53(1):1–22
Stevenson FJ (1982) Humus chemistry—genesis, composition, reactions, 3rd edn. Wiley & Sons, New York, USA
Szombathová N, Zaujec A (2001) Changes of the soil properties in the National Nature Reserve Báb after 27 years. Ecology (Bratislava) 20:128–132
Šimanský V (2012) Assessment of soil structure under monoculture of vine. Soil Sci Annu 63:42–45
Šimanský V, Bajčan D (2014) The stability of soil aggregates and their ability of carbon sequestration. Soil Water Res 9:111–118
Šimanský V, Bajčan D, Ducsay L (2013) The effect of organic matter on aggregation under different soil management practices in a vineyard in an extremely humid year. Catena 101:108–113
Šimanský V, Kolenčík M, Puškeľová Ľ (2014) Effects of carbonates and bivalent cations and their relationships with soil organic matter from the view point of aggregate formation. Agriculture 60:77–86
Šimon T, Javůrek M, Mikanová O, Vach M (2009) The influence of tillage systems on soil organic matter and soil hydrophobicity. Soil Till Res 105:44–48
Tisdall JM, Oades JM (1982) Organic matter and water-stable aggregates in soils. J Soil Sci 33:141–163
Vaezi AR, Sadeghi SHR, Bahrami HA, Mahdian MH (2008) Modeling the USLE K-factor for calcareous soils in northwestern Iran. Geomorphology 97:414–423
Vopravil J, Podrázský V, Khel T, Holubík O, Vacek S (2014) Effect of afforestation of agricultural soils and tree species composition on soil physical characteristics changes. Ecology (Bratislava) 33:67–80
Yu H, Ding W, Luo J, Geng R, Ghani A, Cai Z (2012) Effects of long-term compost and fertilizer application on stability of aggregate-associated organic carbon in an intensively cultivated sandy loam soil. Biol Fert Soils 48(3):325–336
Acknowledgements
This study was partially supported by the Cultural and Educational Grant Agency (KEGA)—project No. 014SPU-4/2016 and the Scientific Grant Agency (VEGA)—project No. 1/0136/17.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Responsible editor: Elżbieta Jamroz
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Polláková, N., Šimanský, V. & Kravka, M. The influence of soil organic matter fractions on aggregates stabilization in agricultural and forest soils of selected Slovak and Czech hilly lands. J Soils Sediments 18, 2790–2800 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-017-1842-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-017-1842-x