Abstract
Soil water-stable aggregates (WSAs) are the basic unit of soil constitution and can contribute to remaining the stable soil constitution. The objective of this study was to clarify the distribution and stability of WSAs and the soil organic carbon (SOC), the total nitrogen (TN), and the total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in 0 - 20 cm and 20 - 40 cm soil layers under the different ages of Robinia pseudoacacia plantations. The 20, 25, 40, and 50 years-old Robinia pseudoacacia plantations were selected. Stepwise regression analysis showed that >5 mm and 1 - 2 mm WSAs, SOC concentration in 2 - 5 mm WSAs, and TN and TP concentrations in < 0.25 mm WSAs were dominant independent variables affecting aggregate stability and that SOC in 0.25 - 0.5 mm WSAs, TN in <0.25 mm and 1 - 2 mm WSAs and TP in 2 - 5 mm WSAs were dominant independent variables affecting SOC, TN, and TP concentrations in bulk soils.
Highlights
Soil aggregates are the basic units of soil constitution and help keep it stable
The results of analysis of the distribution and stability of water-stable aggregates (WSAs) at Robinia pseudoacacia plantations of different ages are shown in Table 3 for the 0 - 20 cm and 20 - 40 cm soil layers
Significant and positive correlations were observed between Mean weight diameter (MWD) and soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) concentrations in WSAs, significant (P < 0.05) and negative correlations were observed between MWD and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in WSAs
Summary
Soil aggregates are the basic units of soil constitution and help keep it stable. They are the determinant factor of soil fertility [1]. Water-stable aggregates (WSAs) are especially important for determining soil fertility [3]. The form and stability of SOC, TN, and TP concents can differ in aggregates of different sizes and these affect the evolution of soil fertility [4]. In this way, the concentration of SOC, TN, and TP in aggregates plays a key role in improving soil fertility. The distribution of TP in WSAs of different sizes was greatly affected by the soil acid-base-properties; there is more phosphorus in smaller aggregates in acidic soil than in basic soil [7]
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