Soil biophysical controls over rice straw decomposition and sequestration in soil: The effects of drying intensity and frequency of drying and wetting cycles

► Refilled soils cores subjected to wetting and drying cycles. ► Soil microbial and physical properties were examined simultaneously. ► Greater microbial biomass, water repellency and organic carbon in drier soils. ► Lower decomposition rate on rewetting was explained by increased macropore volume.