The mineral part of soil is classified according to size of clay, silt and sand (fine and coarse) particles. The soil organic matter (OM) can influence the size and stability of clay aggregates. The aims of this study were to evaluate shaking processes on the dispersion efficiency of soil aggregates and to evaluate the influence of soil OM on soil particle size analysis. Samples from 0 to 40 cm depths of several agricultural clay soil were collected. Stirring time on reciprocating shaker, shaker types, diameter of container for reciprocating agitation, effect of abrasive on shaking and oxidation of OM with 30% of H2O2 on clay content determination were evaluated. Reciprocating shaking with coarse sand was efficient in the breakdown of soil aggregates and is suitable for series analysis. Previous oxidation of humic substance in soil with 30% H2O2 did not influence the fragmentation of clay aggregates. Error on clay content caused by soil OM can be corrected by using the value of OM determined by Walkley-Black method and does not require prior oxidation of soil sample with 30% H2O2.
clay; organic matter oxidation; dispersion; aggregates
