Soil physical properties affected by long-term fertilization

According to the literature, soil physical properties are linked mainly with organic constituents that are often considered as the first indicator of soil fertility. But the use of fertilizers and amendments can change soil properties independently of the organic matter content. In a long-term experiment at Versailles, fertilizers and amendments have been applied each year to uncultivated plots. After 70 years, the plots had the same low organic matter content except those which were treated with manure. However, the physico-chemical environment had become strongly differentiated. Physical properties, especially soil water relations, were also greatly affected. The use of ammoniacal fertilizers strongly decreased soil pH and cation exchange capacity (CECsoil). Plots treated in this way were more sensitive to the degradation of their hydraulic properties and became unstable in spite of the preservation of their porosity. Basic amendments (i.e. bases added as CO32-, OH-, O2- or silicate anions) increased soil pH, CECsoil and its saturation by exchangeable calcium. The increase in CECsoil improved soil structural cohesion and water flow properties. After basic treatment, there is greater structural stability, and water moves faster through the soil. In potassic and sodic plots, K+ and Na+ affected water movement and increased the soil's sensitivity to degradation. Manure treatment increased water retention and soil stability. The cation exchange capacity, measured at soil pH, can be used as a good indicator of soil stability, in combination with the organic matter content and the kinds of exchangeable cation (especially K+ and Na+).