Question

Which of the following soil drains water easily?
A. Loamy
B. Clay
C. Sandy
D. Topsoil

Answer 1

Hint: The soil that large particles and are loosely spaced with each other allow water to move through the soil and also drain quickly.

Complete step by step answer: The sandy soil is made of sand particles and has a rough texture. This property of sandy soil prevents the particles from sticking tightly together. The sand particles have large enough space between them for passing water through it. This is the reason why sandy soil drains faster than other types of soil. Sandy soil is good for growing vegetables because it has good drainage and it warms up well. Unlike clay soil, it doesn't hold its nutrients.
i. Loam is soil composed mostly of sand, silt, and a smaller amount of clay.
It is the mineral composition of forty per cent sand, forty percent slit and twenty per cent of clay.
ii. The clay is a natural earthy material that is plastic when wet consisting essentially of hydrated silicates of aluminium and used for making bricks, pottery, etc.
iii. The topsoil is the uppermost layer of the soil. It has the highest concentration of organic matter and microorganisms. It is composed of mineral particles, organic matter, water, and air. It is the soil that provides nutrients to plants. The strength of the topsoil decreases with the presence of organic matter, creating weak bearing capacities.
Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Additional information: Sandy Soil is light, warm, dry and tends to be acidic and low in nutrients. Sandy soils are also known as the light soils due to their high proportion of sand and little clay. These soils have quick water drainage properties and are easy to work with.

Note: Though water is retained easily in the loamy soils, it does not enter into it easily to increase the bulk and the density. This results in the particles of loam soils having a tendency to detach.
If soil is disturbed by rain, wind or by construction, its silt and clay particles are transported easily and the soil can begin to erode. The main nutrients found in topsoil are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.