An agricultural researcher is investigating the suitability of different soil substrates for growing tomato saplings (Solanum lycopersicum) in a well-ventilated, windy glasshouse where transpiration rates are expected to be high.
The researcher measures the water retention capacity of four experimental substrate mixes (A, B, C, and D). The results are shown in the table below.
| Substrate mix | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mass of dry substrate / g | 250 | 250 | 500 | 500 |
| Volume of water retained / cm3\text{cm}^3cm3 | 15 | 35 | 55 | 45 |
| Total mass of substrate after water is added / g | 265 | 285 | 555 | 545 |
Explain which substrate mix would be most suitable for the researcher to use to maintain healthy, turgid tomato saplings in these windy conditions.
