Final answer:
Organic matter and clay are the soil components that have the ability to store nutrients, with organic matter providing water and minerals to plants and clay having a high cation exchange capacity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The components of soil that have the ability to store nutrients include organic matter and clay. Organic matter, such as humus, is essential for the improvement of soil structure and for providing water and minerals to plants. Clay, with its very small particle size, can hold a substantial amount of water and has a higher cation exchange capacity, which is beneficial for nutrient retention. Silt can also hold some nutrients, but it is not as effective as clay or organic matter. On the other hand, sand, with its larger particle size, drains water more quickly and therefore is not as capable of storing nutrients between the field capacity and the permanent wilting point, making it less suitable for agricultural purposes.
The ability to store nutrients is found in two of the options: organic matter and clay. Soil consists of four major components: 1) inorganic mineral matter, 2) organic matter, 3) water and air, and 4) living matter. The organic material of soil, called humus, improves soil structure and provides water and minerals. Clay is a type of soil particle that has the ability to hold nutrients due to its fine particles and chemical composition.