Two soil core samples are saturated with water and placed upon a layer of fine sand in a sandbox. A matric potential is applied to both soil core samples. After equilibrium has set in$,$ the soil water content of the two core samples is determined. This procedure is repeated for increasingly more negative matric potentials $($greater suctions$),$ also using a sandbox filled with kaolinite clay and by using loose soil samples in a membrane pressure apparatus. The following results are obtained.

a$.$ Draw the soil moisture characteristic curve for both soil samples.

b$.$ To what textural classes do the soil samples belong $($an educated guess$)?$

c$.$ Estimate the available soil water for plants $($cm$)$ for both soil types, assuming a moderately deep water table and plants that have a root depth of $40$ cm$.$