The correct answer is: C) Chresard
Detailed Explanation:
Soil water available to plants is often referred to as chresard water. Here's a breakdown of the different types of soil water and their definitions:
1. Chresard (Correct Answer):
• Chresard refers to the water that is readily available to plants for absorption by their roots.
• This is the portion of soil water that is not tightly bound to soil particles and can be absorbed by the plant for its metabolic processes.
• It includes the water found in the field capacity (the amount of water held in soil after excess water has drained away) but not in excess. This is the most accessible water for plants.
2. Holard:
• Holard refers to water that is found in waterlogged soils. It is water that is unavailable to plants because it is either too much or too poorly aerated. In such conditions, plant roots cannot access or use the water effectively.
3. Echard:
• Echard refers to the water bound to soil particles that is unavailable to plants. This water is tightly held by the soil and cannot be easily extracted by plant roots.
• It is essentially hygroscopic water that is tightly bound to the soil particles and is not accessible for plant use.
4. Chresard (continued):
• The term chresard is used to describe water that is in the capillary pores of the soil, which can be absorbed by the roots.
• Plants can utilize chresard water efficiently during periods when there is adequate rainfall or irrigation, as long as it is within the soil's water-holding capacity.
The term that refers to the water available to plants is Chresard. It is the soil water that plants can easily absorb for their physiological needs, such as growth and metabolism. Therefore, the correct answer is C) Chresard.