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A Comparison of Selected Methods for Expressing Soil Aggregate Stability¹

ABSTRACT

Aggregate stability was determined on samples taken from plots under 10 cropping systems on a Beltsville silt loam and on samples taken from selected soil types in Maryland, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. Complete aggregate and mechanical analysis curves were determined on the 2.0- to 4.76-mm. fraction from each soil sample. The method of Bryant et al. (2) was also used to determine water stability of this fraction.

These data were used to calculate soil aggregate stability by 24 different methods. Duncan's multiple range test was used to determine the ability of each method to distinguish between changes in soil aggregate stability produced by the cropping systems.

In general, simple summation fractions of the water-stable soil aggregates distinguished well between cropping systems and were as sensitive as more time-consuming methods. It was found that changes in aggregate stability were reflected most by the 0.5- to 2.0-mm. aggregates.

¹ Based in part on a thesis submitted by the senior author in partial fulfillment of requirements for a M.S. degree at the University of Maryland. Maryland Agr. Exp. Sta. contribution No. 3314, Scientific Article A951. Supported in part by funds from Regional Research Project NE-11.

² Formerly Graduate Assistant, Department of Agronomy, University of Maryland, and Associate Professor of Soils, respectively.

Received for publication December 6, 1961. Accepted for publication April 24, 1962.