Effect of Cropping Systems and Fertilizers on Mean Weight-Diameter of Aggregates of Breton Plot Soils

Aggregate analyses of Breton plot soils using a wet sieving technique revealed marked differences resulting from cropping practices but few, if any, due to fertilizers. The mean weight-diameter of soils from plots in a 5-year rotation of grains and legumes was almost double the diameter of soils from plots in a wheat-fallow sequence. With respect to fertilizers, however, mean weight-diameter of soils from high yielding plots in either cropping system were in general similar to those on low-yielding plots of the system in question. Incidentally polysaccharide content of the soil showed a definite relationship to mean weight-diameter.