The chemical properties, soil structure stability and soil organic matter of Haplic Luvisol and their relationships with carbon sequestration in water-stable aggregates were studied in different soil managements.  In 1999, the Department of Plant Production of SAU-Nitra established a long-term experiment. Soil samples were taken in all treatments (conventional, minimal tillage and grassland; treatments: without fertilization, crop residues together with NPK fertilizers, NPK fertilizers). Tillage systems had a statistically significant influence on changes of soil pH. Conventional tillage affected more positively. A higher content of total organic carbon was determined in minimal tillage (by 8%) and in grassland (by 55%), but the quality of SOM was the best in conventional tillage. From the point of view of favourable size fractions of water-stable aggregates, the highest content was in grassland, on the other hand conventional tillage contributed negatively, but fertilization contributed positively.  Obtained results showed carbon sequestration mainly in favourable size fractions of water-stable aggregates (from 5x10 -4 to 3x10 -3 m) in conventional tillage as well as in crop residues together with NPK fertilizers. Positive effects of stabile SOM and negative effects of labile SOM on aggregation processes were observed as well.

Soil Structure Stability; Water-stable Aggregates; Soil Organic Matter

Presentation: oral