Arrange the following soil types in descending order as per permanent wilting percentage of water. A. Fine sand, B. Sandy loam, C. Silt loam, D. Clay loam, E. Clay.
Show Hint
Permanent wilting percentage generally increases with clay content. Clay soil has the highest and sandy soil has the lowest wilting percentage.
Concept:
Permanent wilting percentage depends mainly on soil texture. Fine-textured soils hold more water at permanent wilting point because they have more clay particles and more micropores.
Step 1: Understand texture effect.
Clay soils have very fine particles and large surface area.
\[
\text{Clay soil} \Rightarrow \text{high water holding at wilting point}
\]
Fine sand has coarse particles and large pores, so it holds the least amount of water at wilting point.
\[
\text{Fine sand} \Rightarrow \text{low water holding at wilting point}
\]
Step 2: Arrange from highest to lowest.
The descending order of permanent wilting percentage is:
\[
\text{Clay}>\text{Clay loam}>\text{Silt loam}>\text{Sandy loam}>\text{Fine sand}
\]
Step 3: Convert into given symbols.
\[
E>D>C>B>A
\]
\[
\therefore \text{Correct Answer is (B)}
\]