LAUSR

Abstract Manure amendment affects soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, microbial biomass and activity, and aggregate formation. However, how soil aggregation regulates SOC sequestration and microbial activity after manuring has received less attention. We studied the distribution of SOC, microbial community composition and activity in four aggregate classes (>2, 1–2, 0.25–1, and 2 mm) by 2.4% (p  2, 1–2, and 0.25–1 mm) but not of the microaggregates. The fungal/bacterial PLFA ratio remained unchanged in all aggregates. Manuring increased β-glucosidase and chitinase activities in two macroaggregate classes (>2, and 1–2 mm), but not in the microaggregates. In conclusion, SOC, microbial biomasses and enzyme activities in the macroaggregates are more sensitive to manuring than in the microaggregates. Soil aggregation regulates the distributions of SOC and microbial parameters after 23-year manure amendment.