Which type of soil usually has slow infiltration?

• A. Sandy soil
• B. Loamy soil
• C. Clay soil
• D. Gravelly soil

Answer: (C)

Infiltration rate is controlled by soil texture and pore size. Clay soil has a very fine texture, with tiny pore spaces and high surface area. These small pores and the tendency of clay particles to swell and pack tightly hinder water movement, causing water to infiltrate slowly. The dense network can also form a surface crust that further reduces infiltration during rainfall. In contrast, sandy or gravelly soils have large pore spaces that allow water to move through quickly, and loamy soil sits between them with moderate infiltration.