Soil Water: Importance and Characteristics

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

What is the property of water that allows it to have two charged ends?

Hygroscopicity

Surface tension

Cohesion (correct)

Adhesion

Which type of soil water moves through the soil due to gravity?

Hygroscopic water

Gravitational water (correct)

Adhesive water

Capillary water

What factor affects the amount of capillary water held in soil?

Temperature

Organic matter content (correct)

Soil pH

Sunlight exposure

Which type of water is generally not available for plant growth?

Hygroscopic water Signup and view all the answers

Which soil texture would be expected to hold the most Plant Available Water based on the information provided?

Clayey loam, because it has a lot of internal surface area Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason water is essential for plant growth?

To transport nutrients in a dissolved state Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of evapotranspiration in plants?

To cool down the plant Signup and view all the answers

What does the water holding capacity of a soil refer to?

The ability of a soil to store water during wet periods for later use by plants Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason plant tissue is 50 to 90% water?

To maintain cell turgidity and transport nutrients in a dissolved state Signup and view all the answers

Which type of water is held in the medium and fine soil pores against the force of gravity?

Capillary water Signup and view all the answers

What affects the amount of gravitational water in a soil?

Amount of large soil pores present in the soil Signup and view all the answers

Why is hygroscopic water generally NOT available for plant growth?

It is held too tightly for the plants to pull it out Signup and view all the answers

What is Plant Available Water (PAW)?

Water held in the soil that is actually available for uptake by plants Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information provided, which soil texture would be expected to hold the most Plant Available Water?

Clayey loam, because it has a lot of internal surface area Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the soil water holding capacity?

To store water for plants during wet periods Signup and view all the answers

Why does a plant with high water content have stiff cells?

As a result of water being stored in the plant's cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of evapotranspiration in plants?

To cool the plant through the process of transpiration Signup and view all the answers

What causes soil to become anaerobic?

Saturated conditions from excess water Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of capillary water in soils?

To provide water to plants between rain events Signup and view all the answers