Soil aggregate stratification of nematodes and microbial communities affects the metabolic quotient in an acid soil

► Manure application affects soil aggregate distribution and biological properties. ► Fertilization and aggregate size affect microbial community composition. ► Only fertilization significantly influences nematode composition. ► Total C shows most impact on microbial biomass, but pH on total number of nematode. ► Total number of nematode is negatively correlated with soil metabolic quotient.