Comparing aggregate stability tests for soil physical quality Indicators

Abstract

Although there is not a sole satisfactory methodology that applies universally up to now, aggregate stability has been proposed as an indicator of soil physical quality (SPQ). Difficulties persist when comparison of aggregate stability from different procedures are performed. The objective of this study is to evaluate appropriate aggregate stability methods that enable to distinguish the SPQ condition of both temperate and tropical medium-textured soils. Among different methods tested, results show that wet sieving using the well known fast wetting methods of Kemper & Rosenau and of Le Bissonnais rendered similar results in both environments. The mean weight diameter value of both methods for assessing aggregate stability can be considered as a dependable indicator of soil structure status for comparing soils. These aggregate stability methods are in correspondence with only one out of the eight SPQ indicators when entirely soils were used. It was concluded that the aggregate stability should be used judiciously and in concert with other indicators for an overall assessing of the SPQ condition