Finely divided minerals play a key role on the stabilization of soil organic matter (SOM). Among them, phyllosilicates are known to be particularly efficient due to their surface properties. However, how the wide variety of phyllosilicates with contrasted surface properties results in differing abilities to stabilize SUM is still unclear. In this study, we used a C-3/C-4 chronosequence established in a temperate Cambisol to compare the quantity of organic C and the incorporation of maize-derived C associated to various particle-size fractions with contrasting phyllosilicate mineralogy. We separated sand, silt and clay fractions in samples from 0-20-cm and 45-60-cm horizons. In each fraction, we measured organic C, total N and C isotope signatures. Phyllosilicate mineralogy of fine-silt, coarse-clay, medium-clay, and fine-clay fractions (2-20 mu m, 0.2-2 mu m, 0.2-0.05 mu m,