Certified Crop Advisor Practice Exam

The degree to which soil retains moisture is influenced by its __________.

1. texture

2. structure

3. color

4. pH

The correct answer is: texture

The degree to which soil retains moisture is primarily influenced by its texture. Soil texture refers to the relative proportions of different-sized particles (sand, silt, and clay) present in the soil. Each type of particle has distinct properties that affect water retention. For instance, clay particles are much smaller than sand particles and have a higher surface area, allowing them to hold onto water more effectively. This makes clay soils generally better at retaining moisture compared to sandy soils, which drain quickly. In addition to texture, soil structure also plays a role in moisture retention, but texture is the main determining factor. Other aspects such as soil color and pH can influence various soil characteristics, but they do not have a direct impact on the soil's ability to retain moisture to the extent that texture does. This is why texture is the key term related to soil moisture retention in this context.