Aggregate stability (dispersion and flocculation) depends on the - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Aggregate stability (dispersion and flocculation) depends on the balance (SAR) between (Ca 2+ and 2+ d d th b l (SAR) b t (C d Mg 2+ ) and Na + as well as the amount of soluble salts (EC) in the soil. ( ) + + + ++ ++ ++ + + + + ++ ++ ++ ++ Lower EC Higher EC EC Flocculated Dispersed soil soil

Soil particles will flocculate if concentrations of (Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ ) are increased relative to the 2+ + M 2+ ) f (C i d l ti t th concentration of Na + (SAR is decreased). EC Dispersed soil Flocculated soil

Soil particles will disperse if concentrations of (Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ ) are concentrations of (Ca Mg ) are decreased relative to the concentration of Na + (SAR is increased). Flocculated Flocculated soil EC Dispersed soil

Soil particles will flocculate if the amount of soluble salts in the soil amount of soluble salts in the soil is increased (increased EC), even if there is a lot of sodium. EC Lower EC Higher EC Dispersed Flocculated soil soil soil