The aggregate stability of a soil is the resistance of soil structure against mechanical or physico-chemical destructive forces. Soil structure is one of the main factors controlling plant growth by its influence on root penetration, soil temperature and gas diffusion, water transport and seedling emergence and therefore it is an important soil characteristic for farmers.

Wet sieving apparatus, complete set to determine the aggregate stability of soil.

The wet sieving apparatus is used to determine the above mentioned aggregate stability. The wet aggregate stability is determined on the principle that unstable aggregates will break down more easily than stable aggregates when immerged into water. To determine the stability, 8 sieves are filled with a certain amount of soil aggregates. These sieves are placed in a can filled with water, which will move up and downward for a fixed time. Unstable aggregates will fall apart and pass through the sieve and are collected in the water-filled can underneath the sieve. The testing procedure results in an index for aggregate stability.

Applications
Applications of the wet sieving apparatus are the fields of agriculture and land conservation (research on soil erosion, land degradation / conservation, salinization, agriculture, sustainable agriculture). Determining aggregate stability will give information on the sensitivity of soils to water and wind erosion, which might be prevented e.g. by mulching the soil surface. Information on soil aggregate stability can also improve tillage programs, adapted to the specific soil type and crop demands.

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