Soil aggregates are made up of a combination of soil particles (sand, silt, and clay) and are held together by soil organic matter. A simple and effective way to assess soil health is by digging up a chunk of soil and looking at its aggregate stability. Soil aggregates play a key role in influencing soil structure and soil porosity. Just as biodiversity is crucial above and below ground, having a diversity of soil aggregate sizes is important for soil structure, water infiltration, and water retention. When soils have stable aggregates, they exhibit stronger porosity and can effectively infiltrate water, making them more resilient to erosion, compaction, waterlogging, runoff, stunted root growth, and drought stress.
Aggregate stability is influenced by soil organic matter, soil organisms, and management practices. Soil organisms—including bacteria, fungi, and worms—produce sticky organic compounds that bind aggregates and soil organic matter together. By increasing soil organic matter and microbial life, aggregate stability improves. However, synthetic inputs and tillage can reduce aggregate stability. Alternatively, no-till practices, cover cropping, and adding biological inputs like EnSoil Algae™ and compost can improve aggregate stability.
EnSoil Algae™ immediately increases biodiversity and stimulates soil activity, improving aggregate stability, water infiltration, and overall soil structure. Through Haney Testing, EnSoil Algae™ has also been shown to increase soil organic matter after just one application. By using EnSoil Algae™ as part of a stacked solution, alongside minimal mechanistic disturbance and consistent living roots, growers will strengthen soil structure, increase aggregate stability, and boost resilience.
If you’d like to learn more, book a call with our Director of Education and Grower Support, Camille.