Which soil subclass best describes the condition of soils adversely affected by saturated conditions?

The subclass that best describes soils adversely affected by saturated conditions is excess water. This condition indicates the presence of more water than the soil can adequately drain, leading to anaerobic conditions that can harm plant roots, limit nutrient availability, and affect soil structure.

Excess water in the soil can result from various factors such as high rainfall, poor drainage, or a high water table. It can lead to problems like waterlogging, where the soil becomes saturated and oxygen levels drop, significantly impacting plant health and productivity. This subclass highlights the critical issue of water management in agricultural practices, especially in areas susceptible to flooding or poor drainage.

While other factors like topography, salinity, and moisture limitations can also affect soil conditions, they do not specifically address the adverse effects caused by excess water saturation. Topography relates more to the physical landscape and how it influences water movement, salinity pertains to the concentration of salts in the soil, and moisture limitations deal with insufficient water availability rather than an abundance. Hence, excess water is the most accurate subclass for describing soils negatively impacted by saturated conditions.