Which soil has the highest water holding capacity?

• A. Clay
• B. Sand/Loam
• C. Silt
• D. Gravel

Answer: (B)

Finer-textured soils have a greater ability to hold water because their tiny particles create a high surface area and lots of tiny pores that trap water against gravity. Among common textures, clay has the highest water-holding capacity. Its very small particles and extensive micropore network store a large amount of water after rainfall and at field capacity. In contrast, coarse-textured soils like sand and gravel drain quickly and don’t retain much water. Silt holds more water than sand but less than clay, and loam—a mix of textures—offers a balanced but typically lower maximum water storage than pure clay. So, clay soils tend to retain the most water.