THE SOIL STRUCTURE OF LUVISOLS AND PODZOLS UNDER FOREST AND ARABLE LAND

In three loamy Luvisols from boulder marl and three sandy Podzols from glacial sand under forest, conventional and ecological farming the soil structure was investigated. The morphology, the cellulolytic activity, the aggregate stability and the soil resistance were investigated in spring and fall over two years. The aggregate stability was determined using a modified wet sieving technique and the soil resistance in the field using a simple falling cone probe. The effects of agricultural management are documented clearly. Annual changes are not uniform and not always significant. Aggregate stability and soil resistance are not decisive on actual erosion. The negative effect of low aggregate stability on erosion, caused by coarse soil texture, is reduced by agricultural management with permanent soil cover and intensive rooting.