Water Retention and Hydrological Characteristics of Soil
We analyze the soil’s capacity to retain and make water available, supporting water management and agronomic decisions
Water in soil is not free: it is retained by physical forces that regulate its availability and movement. Understanding how much water the soil retains and under which conditions it is available is essential for managing the soil–plant system.
Retention and soil structure
Structure, porosity, and organic matter influence water retention. Soil management directly modifies its behavior.
THE WATER RETENTION CURVE
The water retention curve describes how much water the soil retains as a function of potential.
Determine available water capacity for plants (AWC)
Support irrigation management
Assess field capacity and wilting point
Analyze and monitor effects of compaction or structural degradation
Compare soils with different characteristics
Integrate physical and agronomic analyses
HOW IT IS MEASURED
The measurements are performed in the laboratory on undisturbed samples by applying different levels of pressure.
Hydrological parameters provided
The analysis provides hydrological parameters that can be used directly for operational management.
Soil water retention curve
Field capacity (FC)
Permanent wilting point (PWP)
Available water (AWC)
Water content at different potentials
Information on porosity and air capacity
Support for technical interpretation of data
Operational Requirements
Data quality depends on proper sampling execution.
SAMPLES
Need for undisturbed samples
CYLINDERS
Use of cylinders with known volume
TIMING
Timing and methods defined according to the project
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is it important to know the water retention curve?
It allows quantification of water available to plants and supports irrigation and management decisions.
Does water retention vary over time?
Yes, it can vary based on soil management, organic matter, and structural conditions.
Is it possible to compare different soils?
Yes, the curve allows comparisons with characteristics of different soils.
How does compaction affect it?
It modifies macroporosity, alters drainage, and changes the distribution of water and air in the soil.
Is it useful in irrigated agriculture?
Yes, it is an operational tool for designing more efficient irrigation systems.
