I read this very interesting article, about the effect of different soil treatments on water infiltration.
https://phys.org/news/2019-09-soil-h...te-ground.html
An illustration comparing how various agricultural practices affect water's infiltration of soils, based on a meta-analysis of 89 studies across six continents. Credit: Lana Johnson / PLOS ONE
The most benefit to water retention was obtained where perennials/trees were planted near croplands.