Agriculture land with __________ soils allows pesticides to move faster.

• A. Coarse, sandy
• B. Heavy clay
• C. Heavy loam
• D. High organic matter

Answer: (A)

Soil texture controls how pesticides move through the profile by shaping water flow and how much pesticide can stick to the soil. Coarse, sandy soils have large pore spaces and relatively little surface area to sorb chemicals, so water drains quickly and pesticides dissolved in that water move downward with little retardation. That means pesticides can travel faster through sandy soils than through finer-textured soils. Heavy clay soils have many small pores and higher sorption sites, which slows movement as pesticides cling to clay and organic coatings. Heavy loam sits in between, offering intermediate movement. Soils with high organic matter also bind more pesticide, reducing its mobility. Because of these dynamics, coarse, sandy soils allow pesticides to move faster.