Which property of soil describes its ability to hold water?

The ability of soil to hold water is primarily influenced by its texture. Soil texture refers to the proportion of different particle sizes present in the soil, namely sand, silt, and clay. Each of these components has unique characteristics that affect water retention. For instance, clay particles are very small and have a high surface area, which allows them to hold onto water more effectively than sand, which consists of larger particles that do not retain water well.

As a result, soils with a higher proportion of clay tend to have better water-holding capacity compared to sandy soils. Conversely, sandy soils will drain quickly and retain less water because their larger particles create larger pore spaces that do not retain moisture effectively. Understanding soil texture is essential for predicting how much water the soil can hold, which has significant implications for agriculture and environmental management.

The other options—soil color, soil quantity, and soil density—do not directly determine the water retention capacity of soil. Soil color can indicate organic matter content or drainage conditions but does not measure water retention. Soil quantity refers to the amount of soil present but does not influence its water-holding capability. Soil density relates to the mass per unit volume of soil and can provide insights into compaction but does not inherently indicate