Cultivation Influences on Soil Organic Carbon Associated with Texture in Seasonally Frozen Zones

[Objective] This study aimed to examine indicative roles of texture representing soil organic carbon presence and variability subsequent to cultivation under cold temperate climates with seasonal freeze-thaw events. [Method] Three chronosequences were selected for paired comparisons. Soil samples were collected at six depths with a 10 cm increment. Analysis of variance with general linear model and regression was performed for statistical analysis. [Result] In seasonally frozen soils where fragmentation of macroaggregates was stimulated, soil organic carbon level was positively associated with clay + silt proportion due to a wider textural range, better than sole clay content. Exponential function better fitted the experimental data to present progressively increased effectiveness of clay + silt content in maintaining carbon. Clay content explained 12%-41% and 14%-43% of variation via linear and exponential functions, respectively. Accordingly, clay + silt content explained 47%-65% and 46%-70%. [Conclusion] Texture reflected soil organic carbon occurrence as consequences of reclamation. For seasonally frozen soils with wider textural ranges, it is robust to adapt clay + silt content as dependent variable and exponential function. The generated algorithms provided an available pathway to estimate soil organic carbon losses following cultivation and to evaluate soil fertility.