NINE FORAGES AND THE AGGREGATION OF A CLAY LOAM SOIL

Abstract

A growth room pot experiment was conducted to relate differences in the aggregating ability of several grasses and legumes to root development and the frequency of VA mycorrhiza fungi. Forages with the most extensive root development within 80 d resulted in the greatest improvements in aggregation. Although the frequency of VA mycorrhiza varied between forages, it was not associated with improvements in aggregation. Key words: Soil structural deterioration, soil degradation, VA mycorrhiza, roots, grasses, legumes