In soil science, the water in soil that plants cannot extract or use, even when soil is very dry.
From German 'Eichardwasser,' named after soil scientist Stephen Hales and later formalized in soil chemistry terminology. The word combines 'eigen' (own) and the name of early water studies.
Plants wilt and die not because there's no water in the soil, but because the remaining water—the echard—is held so tightly to soil particles that roots can't pull it out, like water superglued to sand.
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