Concept:Capillarity is the ability of water to rise through the tiny pore spaces between soil particles.
Soils with smaller particles have finer pores, which produce a higher capillary rise.
Explanation:Soil water moves upward through narrow channels formed between soil particles.
This movement is driven by adhesive forces between water and soil particles, and cohesive forces within water.
Narrower channels cause a greater capillary rise because the water surface curves more strongly.
Among the given types, clay has the smallest particle size.
Clay particles are packed very tightly, leaving numerous tiny pores.
These fine pores generate the strongest capillary action.
Silt has slightly larger particles than clay, so its capillarity is lower.
Loam is a mixture and shows capillary action between that of sand and clay.
Sand has large particles and large pores, leading to very little capillary rise.
Thus, clay not only has high water-holding capacity but also the highest capillarity due to its fine texture.
Answer:Option A. Clay