What term describes the soil's capacity to retain water for plant use?

The correct term for describing the soil's capacity to retain water for plant use is known as moisture-holding ability. This characteristic is crucial for plant growth, as it indicates how well the soil can store water that is available to plants for uptake. Factors that contribute to moisture-holding ability include soil texture, structure, organic matter content, and soil depth.

Soils with a high moisture-holding ability can provide more consistent access to water for plants, particularly during dry periods, which can significantly affect crop yield and health. Therefore, understanding moisture-holding ability is essential for effective crop management and irrigation practices.

Water infiltration rate refers to how quickly water enters the soil, which does not directly indicate how much water can be retained. Soil texture describes the proportion of different particle sizes in the soil (sand, silt, and clay) and influences moisture-holding ability but is not a direct measure of it. Nutrient cycling refers to the process of nutrient turnover in the soil environment, which, while related to soil health, does not specifically address water retention.