Abstract

Organomineral associations in micro-aggregate architecture are important in soil functions. The effect of greenhouse management on micro-aggregation should be investigated to rationally maximize the benefits of solar greenhouses. The relationships between combined organic matter and inorganic minerals were studied during a long-term greenhouse experiment for 15 years in Shenyang, China. Stepwise settlement method was used to isolate micro-aggregate fractions. Combined organic matter, sesquioxides and combined inorganic phosphorus were also determined. The mass proportions of 50–250 and <1 μm size fractions decreased under long-term greenhouse management. The opposite trends were observed in 10–50 and 1–5 μm size fractions. Significant correlations were also determined between the combined organic matter and amorphous Al oxide, complex Fe and Al oxides, and phosphorus combined with Ca and occluded phosphorus. These results indicated that greenhouse management significantly affected the turnover of organomineral associations in micro-aggregates.