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The evaluation of soil aggregate stability and water retention is important in the assessment of soil management options. A 3-year study was conducted in 1999 to determine the effects of two cattle manure application methods on soil aggregate stability and water retention capacity of a sandy soil (Haplic Lixisol). Manure application increased soil organic C by 10–38% in the 0–10cm layer. Compared with the control, manure management treatments increased the aggregate stability of soil as measured by the mean weight diameter (MWD) and aggregates between 2 and 10mm (AGG2) indices from 0.243 to 0.733–0.926mm, and from 27.3 to 128.3–148.3gkg⁻¹, respectively. The readily available water (RAW) capacity of the soil was significantly increased by manure addition, whereas the increase in AWC was not significant. The increase in water retention capacity in the soil was more affected at low suctions and this …