ORIGINAL PAPER
Soil physicochemical properties and aggregate stability in tropical soils
1
Facultad de Minas/Geosciences and Environment, Universidad Nacional de Colombia/ Sede Medellin, Colombia
2
Institute of Soil Science and Site Ecology, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Germany
3
Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Medellin, Colombia
4
Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Departamento de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogota, Colombia
5
Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Polska
6
Department of Soil Science and Agrophisics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Polska
Submission date: 2024-06-22
Final revision date: 2024-11-25
Acceptance date: 2025-04-04
Online publication date: 2025-04-04
Publication date: 2025-04-04
Corresponding author
Juan Carlos Loaiza-Usuga
Facultad de Minas/Geosciences and Environment, Universidad Nacional de Colombia/ Sede Medellin, Av. 80 #65 - 223. Campus Robledo. Bloque M2. Ofici, 050041, Medellin, Colombia
Facultad de Minas/Geosciences and Environment, Universidad Nacional de Colombia/ Sede Medellin, Av. 80 #65 - 223. Campus Robledo. Bloque M2. Ofici, 050041, Medellin, Colombia
Soil Sci. Ann., 2025, 76(1)203719
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Several authors have suggested a relationship between soil physicochemical properties and the mineral composition of tropical soils concerning the development of soil structure and aggregate stability. This study analyzed soil samples from different climatical conditions, from Bt, Bss, Bo, and Bw (endopedons) soil diagnostic horizons, typical of tropical soils in Andean, Caribbean, and Orinoco regions in Colombia. The stability of soil macroaggregates was determined by the wet sieving method, and the stability of microaggregates was determined by the laser diffraction method. The results showed the predominance of silt and clay fractions and high variability of grain size distribution, which translates into low soil structure stability and high susceptibility to their dispersion (making them susceptible to degradation by erosion), except in Andisols. Wet sieving (KR) results and laser diffraction-based aggregate stability index (ASILD) showed good levels of microaggregate stability only in Andisols. The soil organic carbon (SOC) content was medium to low in dry climates and high in cold, humid conditions. Andisols were characterized by the high SOC content and Water Resistance Index (WRI). This study provided knowledge of the differences in the physicochemical properties of tropical soils as a tool for assessing the aggregation of soils under different management practices and environmental change scenarios.
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