The scientists studied how different properties of Syrian soils affect how much water they can hold. They collected soil samples from different areas in Syria and measured water content and 11 soil properties. By analyzing the data, they found that certain soil properties like texture and soil carbonate content are closely related to how much water the soil can hold. They identified seven key soil properties that can be used to estimate the soil water retention curve, which is important for understanding how water moves through the soil. This research helps us better understand how soil properties influence water retention in arid and semiarid regions like Syria.