Question

Passage of mineral from top soil to subsoil through seepage of water is known as

• A. Percolation
• B. Leaching
• C. Conduction
• D. Transpiration

Hint:

- Percolation = Downward movement of water.
- Leaching = Downward movement of dissolved solutes/minerals carried by that water.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Water movement through soil plays a vital role in dissolved nutrient transport.
Understanding the terminology of water and solute movement in the soil-water profile is essential for soil and water management.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- Leaching (B): The process of displacement and downward movement of soluble minerals, salts, and nutrients from the upper soil layer (topsoil) to the lower soil layers (subsoil) or groundwater, driven by the downward flow of water.
- Percolation (A): The physical downward movement of water through saturated or nearly saturated soil due to gravitational forces. It refers to water itself, rather than the solute/mineral transport.
- Conduction (C): A physical mode of heat transfer or structural transport, unrelated to solute translocation in soil profiles.
- Transpiration (D): The loss of water vapor from the aerial parts of plants, primarily through stomata.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The passage of minerals from topsoil to subsoil is called Leaching, which corresponds to option (B).