Question

The saturation capacity, field capacity and the permanent wilting point of a soil are 47%, 27% and 14%, respectively. The available moisture for the crops grown in the soil is:
1. 27%
2. 20%
3. 13%
4. 33%

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : 13%

Concepts:

The maximum amount of water than can be stored inside the voids of soil even including the gravity water is called saturation capacity.

The amount of water held or retained in soil after excess water has been drained freely due to action of gravitational forces is called Field capacity.

Permanent wilting Point: The water content at which plant no longer available to extract water from soil for its growth, called permanent wilting point.

Available Moisture: It is the available water content which plant can easily extract from soil for their growth.  It is the difference between   field capacity and permanent wilting point.

Given:

Field Capacity = 27 %

Permanent Wilting Point = 14%

Available Moisture, AM = Field Capacity (FC) - Permanent Wilting Point (PWP)

AM = 27- 14 = 13 %