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Soil Water Retention
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Field Capacity: Field capacity refers to the maximum amount of water the soil can hold against the force of gravity after excess water has drained away. It represents the point where the soil is adequately moist for plant uptake but not saturated.
Wilting Point: The wilting point is the moisture level at which plants can no longer extract water from the soil. It is the lower limit of available soil moisture for plants.
Available Water: The difference between field capacity and the wilting point represents the available water in the soil, which is essential for plant growth.
Factors Affecting Soil Water Retention:
Soil Texture: Soil texture (sand, silt, clay) strongly influences water retention. Sandy soils have larger particles and drain quickly but hold less water, while clayey soils retain more water but can be slow to drain.
Soil Structure: Soil structure affects pore spaces and, consequently, water retention. Well-structured soils tend to have better water-holding capacity and drainage.
Soil Organic Matter: Organic matter improves soil structure and enhances water retention by increasing soil porosity.
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