Evaluation of aggregate stability methods for soil health

Aggregate stability is a commonly used indicator of soil health because improvements in aggregate are related to reduced erodibility and improved soil–water dynamics. During the past 80 90 years, numerous methods have been developed assess stability. Limited comparisons among resulted varied magnitudes response management practices influences inherent properties climate. It not clear whether selection specific method creates any advantage investigator. This study assessed four measuring using data collected as part North American Project Evaluate Soil Health Measurements. The included water stable aggregates Cornell Rainfall Simulator (WSACASH), wet sieved (WSAARS), slaking captured adapted from SLAKES smart-phone image recognition software (STAB10), mean weight diameter (MWD). Influence climate at continental scale were analyzed addition responses rotation diversity, cash crop count, residue management, organic nutrient amendments, cover crops, tillage. moderately correlated with each other. All sensitive differences between sites, although different degrees. None measured significant effects diversity or but all detected increases resulting Significant positive trends observed for relation cropping, increased retention, except STAB10, which expressed slightly negative amendments. Considering these results, no single was clearly superior viable options Therefore, secondary considerations (e.g., cost, availability, sensitivity practice, minimal within-treatment variability) driven by needs investigator, should determine most suitable method.