Development of aggregates after application of maize residues in the presence of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal pea plants

It has been demonstrated before that growing pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants reduce the decomposition of 15N labeled maize residues. This reduction was especially strong in pots planted with the mycorrhizal wild-type Frisson (myc+) in comparison with the non-mycorrhizal mutant P2 (myc−). The aim of the present experiment was to assess the contribution of AMF and saprotrophic microorganisms to the formation of aggregates and accumulation of C and N as occluded light fraction organic matter in the soil of this pot experiment. In the myc+ treatment of the size class