Given below are two statements:

Statement (I): At field capacity matric potential, the soil water content is higher when dry soil is getting wet.

Statement (II): The drying of soil depends on the narrow radii of the connecting channels, whereas the wetting process depends on large pore diameters.

In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct option is D

Correct option: (d)
Why Statement (I) is false:
· Due to soil water hysteresis, at the same matric potential (e.g., field capacity):
· Water content is higher during drying than during wetting.
· Therefore, the claim that water content is higher when dry soil is getting wet is incorrect.
Why Statement (II) is true:
· Drying (desorption):
· Controlled by narrow pore necks/connecting channels.
· Water drains only after sufficient tension overcomes capillary forces in small pores.
· Wetting (adsorption):
· Governed by larger pore diameters that fill first as water enters the soil.
· This pore-size control explains hysteresis in soil water retention.
❌ Why other options are incorrect
· (a) Incorrect because Statement (I) is false.
· (b) Incorrect because Statement (II) is true.
· (c) Incorrect because Statement (I) is false.
�� Key Points
· Hysteresis: Difference in soil water content during wetting vs drying at the same matric potential.
· Drying → controlled by narrow pore throats.
· Wetting → influenced by larger pores filling first.
· At field capacity, drying curve lies above wetting curve.