SOIL ORGANIC MATTER POOLS AND AGGREGATE FRACTIONS IN ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL WINTER WHEAT CROPPING IN VOJVODINA PROVINCE OF SERBIA.

There is a lack of information on differences between organic and conventional soil management practices effects on the soil organic matter and aggregate fractions. Therefore, our research aimed to investigate those land-use systems to better understand the relationship between soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil structural properties in field crops production. For the purpose of this study, six locations under winter wheat, representing Haplic Chernozem soil type, were surveyed at 0-30 cm depth. On average, the distribution of soil aggregate fractions and soil organic matter (SOM) content was comparable in organic and conventional farms. Higher content of total and labile SOC was obtained from >2000 μm fraction being most important fraction in the turnover of soil organic matter. The degree of C saturation turned out to be an important regulator of SOC stability and turnover rates while carbon sequestration rate (2.64-2.84 kg m^-2) indicated the high potential of C increase in Chernozem soil. Detection of soil quality improvement in organic farming systems requires a longer period of time due to changes in utilization and a management practices. Direct links between labile carbon and soil physical condition are being pursued to help organic farmers manage soil resources more efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]