The residual water percentage in soil at plant wilting point is termed:
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Answer: B. Wilting coefficient
Explanation
The wilting coefficient defines the minimum soil moisture content at which plants permanently wilt. At this critical threshold, soil water tension exceeds the osmotic suction capacity of plant roots. Plants are unable to extract remaining moisture, leading to irreversible desiccation unless water is added. Soil water is held within pore spaces by adhesive and cohesive forces known as matric potential. The wilting point typically occurs at a soil moisture tension of approximately fifteen atmospheres. Different soil textures possess varying wilting points based on clay and organic matter content.
Irrigation scheduling models use the wilting point to determine when soil moisture drops to critical levels. Agricultural engineers calculate plant available water by measuring the difference between field capacity and wilting point. Understanding soil moisture thresholds prevents crop failure and optimizes irrigation water use efficiency. Turgidity refers to cellular water pressure maintaining plant rigidity rather than soil moisture retention limits. Field capacity describes the maximum amount of water retained in soil after excess gravitational drainage stops. Water retaining power is a general physical property rather than the specific wilting point percentage.
- Subject
- Agriculture
- Category
- Forestry
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
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