Influence of land use and soil type in water retention and texture of the soils of Mazarrón (S.E. of Spain)

It is known that some soil properties, such as texture and water retention, are influenced by the kind of soil and the use which is applied to it. Due to this, it has been determined texture and soil pF (1/3 atm and 15 atm) in 41 samples of soil surface (0 - 30 cm.), that were taken according to a distribution of 3x3 Km in the Southwest of the Murcia Region (National Topographic Map 1:50.000 Mazarron 976). It has been also realized its classification according to Soils International Classification by FAO-ISRIC-IUSS (2006), as well as identifying its actual use in situ. The resulting indicators of pF 1/3 atm. (field capacity), pF 15 atm. (wilting point) and, generated from them, plant available water capacity (PWAC), are quite well related to the kinds of soils, and they might be used as physical quality indicators to evaluate the soils in this area.