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The Effect of Composts and Compost Materials Upon the Aggregation of the Silt and Clay Particles of Collington Sandy Loam
Author(s) -
Martin J. P.
Publication year - 1943
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1943.036159950007000c0033x
Subject(s) - loam , compost , silt , agricultural experiment station , citation , library science , agriculture , mathematics , environmental science , soil science , agronomy , geography , soil water , computer science , archaeology , biology , paleontology
'"T~HE importance of soil aggregation is well recog1 nized, not only among scientific workers but also among practical farmers. Compared to a soil with a poor structure, a well-aggregated soil is more resistant to erosion, offers less resistance to root penetration, and allows better air circulation. With respect to soil erosion, the state of aggregation of the silt and clay particles is of particular importance. If these particles are not bound into water-stable aggregates of larger dimensions, they are the first to be eroded from the soil (4, 7). As a result of studies dealing with the properties of soils that influence erosion, Middleton (7) concluded that the dispersion ratio, which is a measure of the state of aggregation of the silt and clay particles, was the most valuable single criterion in distinguishing between erosive and nonerosive soils. Soil organic matter and soil aggregation are closely interrelated (2). Barnyard manures and various organic residues, as well as being important in other respects, have been found to increase granulation when incorporated into the soil (i, 3, 6, 10). The role played by microorganisms in the process of soil aggregation has been pointed out by several investigators (5, 9). As soon as organic materials find their way into the soil, they immediately become subject to attack by microorganisms. As a result, a great variety of decomposition products and new, synthesized compounds are produced. Some of the products of decomposition and products of microbial synthesis combine both physically and chemically with the inorganic soil particles, forming more or less stable aggregates (6, 8). Because of a limited supply of manure in New Jersey, the production of artificial manure by the composting process may prove practical. In this connection, information concerning the influence upon the physical properties of the soil of organic residues, both before and after composting, would be highly desirable. The following studies were undertaken for this purpose. EXPERIMENTAL