Effects of a Conditioner on Soil Physical Properties

Agri‐SC, a soil conditioner manufactured by Four Star Agricultural Services, Inc., Bluffton, IN, was applied to a fallow Stoy silt loam (fine‐silty, mixed, mesic Aquic Hapludalf) at rates of 0, 0.15, 0.30, and 0.60 L/ha for two successive years. After application, the following soil parameters were measured: organic matter content, mean aggregate diameter, porosity, 48‐h aeration porosity, sorptivity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, liquid limit, plastic limit, in situ infiltration and drainage rates, and soil water retention (up to 240 cm of suction). None of the soil properties differed significantly among treatments, but all decreased significantly the second year, except liquid limit. The detrimental effects to soil physical, hydrological, and rheological properties could be caused by the decreases in organic matter.