ABSTRACT
A soil aggregate is a naturally occurring cluster or group of soil particles in which the forces holding the particles together are much stronger than the forces between adjacent aggregates. The quantity and quality of soil aggregate stabilizing agents of organic origin vary considerably depending upon the environment, soil type and soil matrix, and soil and crop management practices. Since the interactions of organic matter with metallic cations and clay particles play an important part in soil aggregation and the stability of both aggregates and the organic C contained within them, the loss of organic matter is associated with decreasing amount and degree of aggregation. Soil particles are brought together into aggregates by physical forces and stabilized by binding agents. Cultivation and cropping of a soil can initiate physical forces for aggregate formation such as stress, shear and compression and dehydration through drying and mechanical pressure.
