This study showed that puddling intensity, sesquioxides, and SOC
significantly influence paddy soil aggregation and cracking. The effect
of puddling on soil cracking mostly resulted from physical dispersion
of aggregates, while the effect of sesquioxides and SOC not only included
physical effect fromaggregate dispersion but also chemical effect in altering
soil properties. The two paddy soils exhibited significantly different
cracking patterns under water treatment, which is consistent with field
observations (Zhang et al., 2014). The Feo/Alo and SOC were main factors
resulting in the difference in cracking patterns between the two soils.