Abstract
Large thin sections and image analysis techniques were used to understand the relation between macroporosity and root development in two different farm management systems. Samples of 8 cm × 15 cm were collected at three different depths from two fields, one under a conventional and one under an integrated farm management system. Macroporosity was measured on vertically oriented thin sections, whereas root parameters were quantified on horizontal thin sections. Macroporosity was quantified using porosity photograms. Roots were quantified directly on the thin sections using a microscope with several light sources. The micromorphometric measurements were performed with a Quantimet 970 image analyser. Two hypotheses were tested: (a) different farm management systems are responsible for different soil macroporosities; (b) a relationship exists between macroporosity and root-soil contact in the topsoils of conventional and integrated farm management systems.
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