Which statement best describes how soil texture influences water holding capacity?

• A. Coarser textures hold more water than fine textures
• B. Texture has no impact on water retention
• C. Finer textures (more clay) hold more water but drain slower
• D. Sand drains fastest, not the best water holder

Answer: (C)

Soil texture shapes how water is stored and moved through the profile. Finer textures, with more clay, have many tiny pore spaces and a larger surface area. Water is held in these small pores by capillary forces and adsorption to particle surfaces, so more water can be stored overall. Because these pores are small and less interconnected for rapid flow, drainage happens more slowly. In contrast, sandy soils have larger pores that drain quickly, so they hold less water. Hence, finer textures hold more water but drain slower.