The part of groundwater retained in small soil pores by capillary forces and not freely drained by gravity is called what?

Correct answer: केशिका जल (Capillary water)

Correct answer: B, capillary water. Soil contains spaces of different sizes. After excess water drains downward under gravity, some water remains held in the fine pores by adhesion to soil particles and cohesion between water molecules. This retained water is capillary water. It can move through small pores and is generally the main soil-water supply available to plant roots, although its availability depends on soil texture and how strongly it is held. A is wrong because gravitational water occupies larger pores and drains downward relatively quickly after rain or irrigation. C is wrong because hygroscopic water forms an extremely thin film tightly adsorbed onto soil particles; it is held so strongly that plants generally cannot absorb it. D is wrong because surface water is water present on the land surface, such as in ponds, streams, or lakes, not water held inside soil pores. The phrase ‘small pores’ and resistance to gravity point to capillary water. Memory cue: gravity water drains, capillary water stays, hygroscopic water clings too tightly.