Soil aggregate stability as affected by fertilization type under semiarid no-tillage conditions

Published source details Plaza-Bonilla D., Álvaro-Fuentes J. & Cantero-Martínez C. (2013) Soil aggregate stability as affected by fertilization type under semiarid no-tillage conditions. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 77, 284-292.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Soil: Add slurry to the soil Action Link
	Soil: Add manure to the soil Action Link

Soil: Add slurry to the soil

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2008–2011 in a wheat-barley field in Catalonia, northeast Spain, found similar amounts of organic matter and soil organisms, but greater soil stability, in soils with added manure, compared to soils without it. Organic matter: Similar amounts of organic carbon were found in soils with or without added slurry (amounts not reported). Soil organisms: Similar amounts of microbial biomass (measured as carbon) were found in soils with or without added slurry (655–1,372 vs 591–900 mg C/kg soil). Soil erosion and aggregation: More water-stable macroaggregates, and larger macroaggregates, were found in soils with added slurry in (200 kg N/ha) compared to soils without it, in one of two comparisons (0.43–0.44 vs 0.39 kg water-stable macroaggregates/kg soil; 3.30 vs 3.02 mean weight diameter). Methods: There were three plots (5 x 12 m) for each of two treatments (pig slurry, added at 100 or 200 kg N/ha) and there were three control plots (no slurry). Crops were planted in October (with a seed drill) and harvested by the end of June. Soil samples were collected seven times, from March 2010 to July 2011, with a flat spade (0–5 cm depth, two samples/plot).
Soil: Add manure to the soil

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2008–2011 in a wheat-barley field in northeast Spain found similar amounts of organic matter and microbial biomass, but greater soil stability, in soils with added manure, compared to soils without added manure. Organic matter: Similar amounts of organic carbon were found in soils with or without added manure (amounts not reported). Soil organisms: Similar amounts of microbial biomass (measured as carbon) were found in soils with or without added manure (579–1,230 vs 591–900 mg C/kg soil). Soil erosion and aggregation: More water-stable macroaggregates, and larger macroaggregates, were found in soils with added manure, compared to soils without added manure (0.43 vs 0.39 kg water-stable macroaggregates/kg soil; 3.23 vs 3.02 mm mean weight diameter). Methods: Poultry manure (100 kg N/ha) was added to three treatment plots, but not to three control plots (5 x 12 m plots). Soil samples were collected seven times, from March 2010 to July 2011, with a flat spade (0–5 cm depth, two samples/plot).