An improved method for measuring aggregate stability of a weakly aggregated loessial soil

F. B. Pierson, D. J. Mulla

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

The original high energy moisture characteristic (HEMC) technique for measuring aggregate stability is shown to have limitations for use with weakly aggregated soils. Improvements were made to expand the applicability of the technique to weakly aggregated soils and reduce its subjectivity to operator bias. The destructive force used to break down the aggregates was controlled by wetting aggregates 1.0 to 0.5 mm in diameter under suction on a sintered glass plate. The improved method facilitates the measurement od differences in stability of weakly aggregated soils subject to long-term differences in cropping and management history. In contrast, the original method was inappropriate for these weakly aggregated soils due to improper wetting rates and high variability resulting from operator subjectivity. -from Authors

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1825-1831
Number of pages7
JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal
Volume53
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1989

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