For every type of soil, the water retention curve is specific and depends on several soil features. This study was carried out to evaluate the influence of soil attributes on water retention in Red Latosol (Haplustox) and Red Latosol (Eutrustox) under different management and use systems. The use systems were: cotton, sugar-cane and woods. The granulometric composition, bulk density, organic matter, Fe2O3 and Al2O3 contents, as well as the water retention curve were determined for soil samples from different depths (0-10, 10-20, 20-30 and 30-40 cm). Organic matter did not demonstrate effective participation in water retention, while the attribute bulk density had the greatest positive correlation with water retention. Eutrustox soil presented greater water retention in all tensions and, in relation to Haplustox, the same capacity of available water (CAW).
soil water; organic matter; bulk density; aluminum and iron oxides