What influences water movement in soil?

Water movement in soil is significantly influenced by the distribution of pore sizes, which determines how easily water can flow through the soil matrix. Pore size affects the soil's ability to retain and transmit water; larger pores facilitate rapid water movement, while smaller pores can hold water more tightly, affecting how much water is available to plants.

In soils with a diverse pore size distribution, the interactions between larger and smaller pores can create a capillary action that aids in both the movement and retention of water. This intricate balance contributes to the overall hydraulic conductivity of the soil, which is critical for managing irrigation and drainage practices effectively.

While soil texture, organic matter content, and soil temperature are all important factors that can influence water movement to varying degrees, pore size distribution is a more direct determinant of how quickly and efficiently water can move through soil profiles.