OBJECTIVE FORESTRY

Detailed explanation-1: -Clay soil retains more water because of the presence of small and fine particles. Loamy soils have medium size particles, so it retains moderate amount of water. Sand with low nutritional content and larger particles retain the least amount of water.

Detailed explanation-2: -Generally speaking, clay-rich soils have the largest pore space, hence the greatest total water holding capacity.

Detailed explanation-3: -Clay soils retain more water and nutrients than sand, but there is little percolation of the water and less oxygen for the plant due to smaller pore sizes than those of coarser textures.

Detailed explanation-4: -Clay particles have the ability to physically and chemically “hold” water molecules to the particle more tightly than sands or silts. Sands “give up” the water between the pores much easier than silts or clays.