Studies on soil structure: what it is, how cultural practices affect it, how it affects cotton yields

Introduction; Experimental procedure; Studies on soil structure; The development of the soil aggregate; Causes of aggregate formation; Changes in water-stable aggregation with time; The realtion of water-stable aggregation to soil texture; The function of the aggregate in the soil system; Effect of soil aggregates on water movement; Factors affecting aggregation; The effect aeration, moisture, and compaction; Effect of freezing and thawing; Effect of soil amendments on aggregation and percolation; Effect of organic matter on aggregation; Effect of alkali constituents on soil aggregation; Relation of dispersion to soil structure; The state of 2-micron clay and its effect on soil friability; Effect of tillage practices on soil structure and dispersion; Field studies on soil structure; Effect of soil management; Effects of irrigation methods on soil structure and cotton yield; Effects of mulching on soil aggregation and cotton yields; Effects of seedbed preparation on soil aggregation and cotton yields; The effect of compaction on soil structure and cotton yield; The effect of soil amendments on soil structure and cotton yield; Summary and conclusions; Literature citedBulletin containing the results of various soil studies conducted in southern New Mexico