Maximum water holding capacity is possessed by which kind of soil?

Options

A. Sandy soil
B. Silt soil
C. Clay soil
D. Loam soil

Answer

To determine which kind of soil possesses the maximum water holding capacity, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand Water Holding Capacity
Water holding capacity refers to the ability of soil to retain water after it has been absorbed. This is crucial for plant growth and overall soil health.

### Step 2: Identify Soil Types
There are different types of soil, each with varying particle sizes and structures:
- **Clay Soil**: Composed of very fine particles, it has a high water holding capacity due to its small pore spaces.
- **Loamy Soil**: A mixture of sand, silt, and clay, it has moderate water holding capacity.
- **Sandy Soil**: Contains larger particles, which makes it less capable of holding water.
- **Silt Soil**: Finer than sandy soil but coarser than clay, it has moderate water retention.

### Step 3: Analyze Porosity
Porosity is the measure of how much space is between soil particles. Soils with less porosity tend to hold more water because there are fewer spaces for water to drain away.

### Step 4: Compare Soil Types
- **Clay Soil**: Has very small particles and low porosity, which allows it to hold a significant amount of water.
- **Sandy Soil**: Has larger particles and high porosity, leading to poor water retention.
- **Loamy Soil**: While it holds water well, it does not surpass clay soil in terms of maximum capacity.
- **Silt Soil**: Holds more water than sandy soil but less than clay soil.

### Step 5: Conclusion
Based on the analysis, clay soil has the highest water holding capacity due to its fine particles and low porosity.

### Final Answer
**Clay soil possesses the maximum water holding capacity.**

---