Improvements in soil physical properties after long-term manure addition depend on soil and crop type

Manure application and crop rotation are common agricultural practices that can alter soil physical properties affect functions. In this study, we assessed the effect of long-term manure fertilization (24 to 126 years) type on hydraulic, aggregate pore structural properties. Samples were collected from three experiments (LTEs) in Sweden (silty clay, SiC), Germany (silt loam, SiL) Denmark (sandy SL). Measurements included water retention, air permeability gas diffusivity measured at five matric potentials −3, −5, −10, −30 −50 kPa, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), bulk density (ρb), water-stable aggregates (WSA). The treatments LTEs various rates sequences (winter wheat, maize, spring barley, grass/clover). Results showed addition reduced ρb by an average 3–6% for all sites, improved plant available WSA most investigated plots. However, increasing SiL SL sites did not result further improvements aggregates. size distribution, transport, Ksat varied with type. increased porosity pores < 30 µm two fine-textured > wheat maize plots site. transport decreased these barley regardless texture. site had well developed structure, while structure was relatively poor. Grass poorer than despite addition. study shows chemical arising largely depend crops grown