Air-Dry and Water-Stable Soil Aggregate Distribution of Polish Chernozems Classified in Various Complexes of Agricultural Suitability

The objective of this study was quality estimation of air-dry and water-stable soil aggregate distribution in Polish Haplic Chernozems developed from loess. It was found that among the Chernozems classified in the particular complexes of agricultural suitability there were small differences in the content of air-dry aggregates with sizes of 0.25-10 mm. The distribution of air-dry aggregates in horizons Ap, A, and ABw was estimated as good or medium, while that in horizons Bw and Ck as medium or poor. In the Chernozems classified in the very good wheat complex and the good wheat complex the content of water-stable aggregates with sizes of 0.25-10 mm was significantly greater than in soils classified in the deficient wheat complex. The water-stable aggregate distribution in the Ap horizons of soils classified in the very good and good wheat complexes was estimated as good, and in the Ap horizons of soils of the deficient wheat complex as medium. In horizons A the distribution of water stable aggregates was assessed as medium, and in horizons ABw, Bw, and Ck as poor or very poor.