Linking microbial community to soil water-stable aggregation during crop residue decomposition

► Early soil aggregation was related to an increase of the overall microbial biomass. ► Longer-term soil aggregation was related to the microbial polysaccharide content. ► Microbial structure may play a great role in the late stage of aggregation dynamics. ► The role of microorganisms on aggregation depends on C input quality and mineral N.