Field capacity refers to what aspect of soil?

Field capacity is a critical concept in understanding soil moisture levels, particularly regarding how much water soil can retain after excess water has drained away and the gravitational forces have diminished. This refers to the maximum amount of water that soil can hold against the force of gravity.

When soil reaches field capacity, it contains the optimal amount of moisture for plant roots to access, providing an essential resource without the risk of waterlogging. Thus, it plays a vital role in agricultural practices and ecological systems, as it influences water availability for crops and other plants.

The other aspects mentioned, such as soil texture, minimum water requirement, and soil permeability, do not directly concern the maximum water retention of the soil. Soil texture describes the proportion of different size soil particles, which affects water and nutrient retention but does not define the maximum capacity. The minimum water requirement refers to the baseline amount needed for plant survival but does not address the saturation point of water retention in soil. Finally, soil permeability pertains to the ability of soil to transmit water and air, which is a different characteristic than how much water it can hold at field capacity.