Evaluation of seasonal variability of soil biogeochemical properties in aggregate-size fractioned soil under different tillages

• Soil samples were collected in a dryland experimental farm during spring and autumn.
• Five aggregate fractions were obtained from surface soil under 3 different tillages.
• Fractions were analyzed by instrumental (13C CPMAS NMR) and biochemical techniques.
• Seasonal variability affects soil aggregation and biochemical parameters.
• Conservation tillages enhanced soil quality and SOM preservation at mid/long-term.

An augment of soil organic matter (SOM) in agricultural lands is mandatory to improve soil quality and fertility and to limit greenhouse gases emissions. A better protection of SOM from degradation is seconded to its inclusion in aggregates and to the formation of organo–mineral interactions with the clay fraction within the soil matrix. Under Mediterranean conditions, conservation agriculture (CA) has been widely related with macro-aggregates formation, SOM protection, and to an improvement of soil fertility and crop yields.The objective of this work was to evaluate the biogeochemical properties of five aggregate-size fractions obtained by dry sieving of a Calcic Fluvisol of an experimental farm managed under three different tillages. Soil aggregates distribution, total organic carbon (TOC), labile carbon pools, and enzymatic activities were measured in 2 different periods of the same agricultural campaign. CPMAS 13C NMR analyses were also performed to elucidate the structure of preserved SOM.The results evidenced seasonal variability in aggregate distribution, labile carbon pools and dehydrogenase activity (DHA), whereas TOC, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POxC), and β-glucosidase activity demonstrated to be reliable soil quality indices for soil fractions. The NMR analyses showed a better SOM preservation under conservation tillages, due to higher plant litter inputs and/or higher amount of necromass derived compounds if compared with traditional tillage. Particularly interesting are the results of the Ø 0.5–1 mm fraction, in which different trends were found for β-Glu and several organic compound classes if compared with the other fractions. Possibly, in this fraction are concentrated most of the products from cellulose depolymerization stabilized by organo–mineral interactions.