Which type of soil is known to leach the most?

Sandy soil is known for its ability to leach nutrients and water more effectively than other soil types. The primary reason for this is its coarse texture and larger particle size, which creates significant spaces between the grains. These spaces allow water to drain quickly and easily, which means that nutrients present in the soil can be washed away at a much faster rate. Sandy soil typically has lower nutrient-holding capacity due to this rapid drainage, making it more susceptible to leaching. The quick movement of both water and dissolved substances through sandy soil extensively contributes to this leaching effect.

In contrast, clay soil, while able to hold water, has a fine texture that retains moisture and nutrients, which limits leaching. Loamy soil, a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay, has a good nutrient and moisture retention capability and thus experiences less leaching than sandy soil. Silty soil also retains moisture well due to its fine particles, leading to an even slower leaching process than what is observed in sandy soil. Therefore, sandy soil is characterized by the highest potential for leaching among these options.