New trends in soil micromorphology

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The soil water retention curve, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity function are essential soil hydraulic functions and parameters. A thorough understanding of these functions is crucial for effective sustainable soil management, agricultural production, and environmental protection. These parameters form the foundation for solving practical tasks in soil science. The basic soil hydraulic functions are significantly influenced by the soil porous system. Model development progresses from simple concepts to more complex approaches, aligning with the visual realities revealed through soil micromorphology. Quantification of the soil porous system involves classifying soil pores, characterizing their shapes, and estimating the pore size distribution function. When analyzing the hydraulic functions of soil pores, hydrostatics and hydrodynamics laws are applied to classify pore sizes. Notably, submicroscopic pores are so small that they prevent the formation of fluid particles or continuous water flow paths. Understanding these aspects is vital for advancing soil science and enhancing the management of soil resources.