The supplies of O2 and water and the mechanical impedance of soil are determined by soil structural form and soil water content. The range in soil water content in which limitations for plant growth associated with matric pressure, aeration, and mechanical resistance are minimal was defined as the least limiting water range (LLWR). This study was carried out to evaluate the LLWR as an index of the structural quality of soils. Undisturbed soil cores were taken from the 5‐ to 10‐cm depth of a silt loam and a loamy sand, cropped to corn (Zea mays L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Soil water retention, soil resistance, air‐filled porosity, and bulk density (Db) were measured. Water contents at critical limits associated with field capacity (−0.01 MPa), wilting point (−1.5 MPa), air‐filled porosity (10%), and soil resistance (2.0 MPa) were predicted and the LLWR calculated for each measured Db. The natural variation in Db on both soils gave rise to a wide variation in LLWR. Values of LLWR varied from 0 to 0.14 cm3 cm−3 for the silt loam soil and from 0.05 to 0.13 cm3 cm−3 for the loamy sand soil. At Db above 1.36 g cm−3 for the silt loam and 1.43 g cm−3 for the loamy sand, the LLWR declined sharply with increasing bulk density. Further research relating LLWR to crop response is required before LLWR can be recommended as a soil structural quality index for crop production.

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The least limiting water range, LLWR, is the range of soil water content within which plant growth is least limited by water potential, aeration, and mechanical resistance. Little information is available on the influence of soil property or management practice on LLWR. The LLWR calculation is based on the water release curve (WRC) and the soil resistance curve (SRC). This study tested the hypothesis that pedotransfer functions (PTF) that describe the influence of soil properties and tillage on the WRC and the SRC could be used to assess the influence of these factors on the LLWR. Thirty‐two paired sampling sites were located along two parallel transects in a side by side comparison of no‐till and conventional tillage. The transects crossed three soil types: Aquic Hapludalf, Psammentic Hapludalf, and Typic Hapludalf. Clay content (CLAY) varied from 5.8 to 37.4%, organic carbon (OC) varied from 9 to 39 g kg‐1, and the bulk density (Db) varied from 0.96 to 1.71 g cm‐3. Multiple regression analyses showed that WRC was related (R2 = 0.94) with CLAY, OC, and Db whereas the SRc was related with CLAY and OC (R2 = 0.86). Tillage had no independent effect in either of the two functions. Values of LLWR, calculated from the PTF, varied from 0 to 0.3093 cm3 cm‐3. The LLWR was negatively related with CLAY and Db and positively related with OC. The analyses supported the hypothesis illustrating the value of PTF in assessing the sensitivity of LLWR to soil properties.

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