Which of the following describes the feeling of clay soil?

Clay soil is known for its unique texture and properties that significantly influence its behavior and how plants interact with it. One of the most notable characteristics of clay soil is its stickiness when it is moist. This stickiness arises due to the small particle size and the way these particles adhere to one another when wet, making it easy to mold into shapes. When you try to press clay soil between your fingers, it easily holds together, demonstrating its cohesive nature.

In contrast, grit or roughness would be associated more with sandy soils, which are coarse and do not hold together well when wet. Slickness might refer to the feeling one gets from wet silt or loamy soils, but does not capture the key quality of cohesion that clay has. Hence, the sticky property of clay soil is what identifies it and differentiates it from other soil types. Understanding these characteristics is essential for horticultural practices, as they impact water retention, drainage, and overall soil management.