Stability of soil aggregates and their ability of carbon sequestration

Abstract

One of the most important binding agents for forming stable aggregates is a soil organic matter (SOM), which can be retained in various size fractions of aggregates. If aggregates are water-resistant, they retain more carbon. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of aggregates and their ability of carbon sequestration in different soil types and soil management systems in Slovakian vineyards. The highest content of water-stable macro-aggregates (WSA<sub>ma</sub>) was determined in Cambisols, and the lowest in Fluvisols. The highest content of WSA<sub>ma</sub> (size fraction 0.5–3 mm) was determined in Chernozems, decreasing within the following sequence: Fluvisols > Leptosols > Cambisols > Luvisols. The soil type had a statistically significant influence on the re-distribution of soil organic matter in size fractions of water-stable aggregates. The highest content of SOM in water-stable aggregates of the vineyards was determined in grassy strips in-between the vineyard rows in comparison to intensively cultivated rows of vineyard. The highest values of carbon sequestration capacity (CSC) in WSA<sub>ma</sub> were found in Cambisols > Leptosols and the lowest values of CSC were in Fluvisols. The micro-aggregates represented a significant carbon reservoir for the intensively cultivated soils (rows of vineyard). On the other hand, increasing of macro-aggregates (size fraction 0.5–3 mm) was characteristic for grassland soils (between the rows of vineyard).