Resumen

DORNER, José  y  DEC, Dorota. Air permeability and saturated hydraulic conductivity as a tool for the functional characterization of soil pores. R.C. Suelo Nutr. Veg. [online]. 2007, vol.7, n.2, pp.1-13. ISSN 0718-2791.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-27912007000200001.

In order to describe the pore functions of ploughed soils, undisturbed soil samples were collected at two depths and orientations (vertical and horizontal) in structured soils in the Weichselian moraine region in Northern Germany. The water retention curve, air permeability (ka) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (k_f) were measured. The pore-size distribution, air-filled porosities and pore continuity indices were calculated. The tillage affects the soil quantitatively and qualitatively. The tillage-induced ploughed pan not only implies a reduction of the pore volume but also causes a direction-dependent behaviour of hydraulic properties through the development of a platy structure. In order to assess these qualitative changes, measurements like ka and/or k_f are a good tool to describe the physical quality of a soil

Palabras clave : Air permeability; soil porosity; pore continuity.