Tillage-induced effects on SOC through changes in aggregate stability and soil pore structure

Soil structure plays a key role in soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. To determine how soil structure and aggregate affects SOC, we collected undisturbed soil cores of 0–5 cm layer (Typic Hapludoll) at an experimental site in Northeast China. The site had been under continuous tillage treatments of conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) for 17 years. We measured SOC by elemental analysis, aggregate size distribution by wet sieving, and soil pore parameters of pore size distribution, pore average diameter, pore numbers, pore connectivity, pore anisotropy, and pore fractal dimension by X-ray computer tomography. SOC content was significantly correlated with aggregate-associated SOC and soil water-stable aggregate content. CT with residue removal and annual plowing and cultivation increased <53 μm and 53–250 μm aggregates. CT decreased total SOC of 0–5 cm soil layer but increased aggregate-associated SOC of <53 μm. NT with greater residue input increased total SOC of 0–5 cm soil layer by 26.0% and aggregate mean weight diameter by 111.8% and increased aggregates of 250–1000 μm and >1000 μm. Soil under NT had a greater total number of micropores and greater connectivity whereas CT had a greater total number of macropores, average macropore diameter, anisotropy, and fractal dimension. Structural equation modeling showed that CT can decrease SOC of 0–5 cm soil layer by different paths, including increased anisotropy and macropore porosity, and NT can increase SOC of 0–5 cm soil layer by different paths, including increased mean weight diameter and connectivity. These results enhance our understanding of the relationship between soil structure and SOC, and could guide tillage management decisions to increase SOC.