Soil Pore Size Distribution

Porosity and pore-size distribution are important soil properties in both the disposition of water falling on the earth and in the growth of plants. Soils with large and stable pores absorb rainfall and permit it to percolate (see Percolation) downward rather than flow away over the surface. Maximum plant growth depends on suitable distribution of large, intermediate, and small pores. Predominance of small pores favors waterlogged conditions and poor aeration, whereas too many large pores make soils droughty