Finish the sentence: Soil structures that create large pores will ______________ the potential for nutrient losses through leaching.

Soil structures that create large pores will increase the potential for nutrient losses through leaching. This is because larger pores allow water to move more freely through the soil. When it rains or when irrigation occurs, water moves quickly through these large spaces and carries with it dissolved nutrients that are present in the soil. As a result, nutrients can be leached away more easily into deeper layers of soil or even into groundwater, reducing their availability to plants and increasing the risk of water pollution.

In contrast, smaller pores in a denser soil structure retain water and nutrients more effectively, minimizing nutrient loss through leaching. Additionally, other soil management practices aimed at improving soil structure, such as organic matter addition or reduced tillage, can help maintain a balance that prevents nutrient losses while still allowing for adequate drainage.