Table 1 Contribution of the aggregates associated C functional groups to 0-20 cm bulk soil in different treatments (%).

From: Organic carbon accumulation and aggregate formation in soils under organic and inorganic fertilizer management practices in a rice–wheat cropping system

Aggregate size

Treatment

alkyl-C

O-alkyl C

aromatic-C

carbonyl-C

Silt and clay fraction (< 53 μm)

Pre-soil

39.12 ± 4.73a

28.43 ± 2.42a

27.62 ± 2.81a

29.79 ± 7.22a

FR

29.04 ± 0.47a

23.65 ± 4.09ab

26.11 ± 3.86ab

38.06 ± 4.77a

OM

21.77 ± 5.00a

19.30 ± 0.71b

20.34 ± 3.19b

22.70 ± 10.79a

Micro-aggregates (53–250 μm)

Pre-soil

20.77 ± 2.60a

15.03 ± 0.34a

14.21 ± 0.6ab

13.78 ± 4.04a

FR

20.32 ± 1.26a

16.00 ± 0.98a

15.64 ± 2.88a

13.28 ± 2.02a

OM

9.90 ± 1.64b

10.00 ± 1.56b

10.74 ± 2.32b

9.02 ± 2.39a

Small macro-aggregates (250–2000 μm)

Pre-soil

45.81 ± 4.77a

35.17 ± 2.93b

31.83 ± 3.3b

28.29 ± 2.55b

FR

38.66 ± 4.22ab

36.46 ± 0.98b

40.21 ± 8.49ab

39.45 ± 7.28a

OM

33.30 ± 4.56b

41.57 ± 2.33a

47.18 ± 1.04a

43.48 ± 4.76a

Large macro-aggregates (> 2000 μm)

Pre-soil

19.64 ± 1.64b

17.24 ± 1.3b

17.83 ± 1.07b

18.20 ± 4.16b

FR

20.88 ± 0.90b

19.57 ± 0.78b

19.22 ± 2.65b

19.01 ± 3.81b

OM

24.50 ± 0.32a

30.99 ± 1.35a

32.32 ± 3.16a

29.14 ± 1.72a

  1. The results show means ± standard deviations (n = 3). Different letters at the same columns indicate significant differences (p < 0.05) between treatments.
  2. FR chemical fertilizer, OM organic manure.
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