When a soil is managed, its structure is affected, usually increasing the bulk density, decreasing the porosity and modifying the distribution of porous diameter distribution. This investigation was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of soil bulk density on water availability to the plants. The experiment was conducted in Guaira (SP), Brazil in an Oxisol (typic Acrorthox). Three adjacent areas under different management systems were selected: no-tillage-non-irrigated, no-tillage-irrigated and natural forest. Undisturbed soil samples were collected at soil depth increments of 0.1m up to 1.0m depth. These samples were submitted to different tensions to determine the water retention and, subsequently the penetration resistance. The least limiting water range concept was used, to calculate the available water, which is based not only on field capacity and permanent wilting point, but also on the limiting resistance to penetration and the limiting aeration porosity. Results indicated that the increase of the soil bulk density up to 1.11Mg m-3, increases the soil water storage and also the available water to the crops; higher values of bulk density decrease the soil water availability.
soil density; available water; penetration resistance
