What does it measure?
The extent of soil particle aggregation as well as the strength thereof.
Relevance to Soil Health?
A healthy soil has a strong Mycorrhizae association between the plants present, be it cover crops or row crops. The Mycorrhizae fungus excrectes a gluey substance “glomalin” that binds the soil particles. There are also other glue-producing microbes that live in association with the plant roots. A high “Aggregate stability” reading will therefore indicate a healthy soil.
Conclusions from results?
The results of this analysis will indicate what measures, if any, need to be taken to improve the Mycorrhizae association and thus the glomalin production in a soil. This is also regarded as the Soil Organic Synthesizing process as opposed to the general organic matter decomposition process occurring at the surface of the soil.