Aggregate Stability: An Indicator of Quality and Resistivity of Arable Soil

Abstract

Soil aggregate stability is a key indicator of soil quality. Changes in aggregate stability may serve as early indicators of recovery or degradation of soils. We have applied laboratory based aggregate fractions method where fine and coarse soil aggregates fixed by set of sieves for two types of soil to estimate aggregate stability. Co-efficient of vulnerability and mean weight diameter was calculated for each aggregate size fractions. Stability index (SI) and aggregate size distribution was determined to conclude on soil erodibility and compaction. Mean weighted diameter (MWD) of the Nurkerke and Hesteert soil after wet sieving is 2.03 mm and 1.56 mm respectively. The instability index of the Nurkerke soil is 2.41 and of Hesteert soil is 2.89.  The aggregate stability index of the Nukerke is 0.41 and Hesteert soil is 0.35. The coefficient of vulnerability (Kv) of Nukerke soil is 2.18 while the Hesteert has 2.81; hence the Nukerke soil seems more stable than the Hesteert soil of Belgium. Results revealed that the Nukerke soil is less vulnerable for erodibility and compaction than the Hesteert soil under investigation.