What term describes the inability of soil to hold water?

The term that describes the inability of soil to hold water is soil permeability. Soil permeability refers to the ability of soil to transmit water and air through its pores. When permeability is high, it means that water can easily move through the soil, which can lead to drainage issues and the reduced capacity of soil to retain water for plant use.

In contrast, soil compaction leads to reduced pore space and can hinder water movement, but it does not specifically define the inability to hold water. Soil erosion refers to the loss of the top layer of soil, which can deplete water retention capacity but is not the direct measure of water holding capability itself. Soil fertility is related to the soil’s capacity to provide essential nutrients to plants, which is an entirely separate concept from its water retention properties. Therefore, soil permeability is the accurate term in this context.