Difference in infiltration and macropore between organic and conventional soil management

To clarify the differences in physical aspects (water permeability and macropore) between organically (OR) and conventionally managed (CO) soils, infiltration was measured at an experimental field managed in Puławy, Poland. Soil columns at depths of 0–20 cm (diameter 21.5 cm) were also collected from the field to determine infiltration and flow–active porosity (macropore). The infiltration rate was 6–10 times higher in OR than in CO, owing to larger macropores in OR. The larger macropores in OR could presumably be due to two factors: (1) the fact that compost and clover (Trifolium repens)–grass were applied only to the organically managed field; (2) the larger population of earthworms (Eisenia foetida) in the organically managed field, which prefer applied organic matter and dislike agrochemicals. These findings, of the higher infiltration and the larger macropore in OR than in CO, may demonstrate one positive effect of organic soil management.