Environmental Studies · Biology

Soil Science and Fertilizers

1,537 Questions

Soil science focuses on soil formation, classification, and fertility management using fertilizers and organic amendments. Agricultural and environmental science exams heavily feature questions on biofertilizers, mycorrhiza, and phytoremediation. Practice these questions to build a strong understanding of soil nutrient cycles.

Phytoremediation techniquesOrganic soil amendmentsBiofertilizers and mycorrhizaNitrous oxide emissionsIn-situ soil remediationGreen manuring effects

Soil Science and Fertilizers Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false?

a. The primary end products of biological weathering are silica, clay, inorganic salts and hydrated oxides. b. Bioaccumulation refers to the storage of a pollutant in body tissues of animals and humans at levels higher than found in the environment. c. A mature soil has minerals stored in the form of organic matter, oxides of nitrogen, NH+ ions, water and air.

  1. Only a

  2. Only a and b

  3. Only b

  4. Only b and c

  5. Only c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as this statement is false. The primary end products of chemical weathering, and not biological weathering, are silica, clay, inorganic salts and hydrated oxides.

Multiple choice

The cattle dung should be used:

  1. as a fuel by making dung cakes

  2. to prepare manure

  3. to prepare bio-gas

  4. both (2) and (3)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Cattle dung is a versatile resource that can be processed into manure for soil enrichment or used in anaerobic digesters to produce bio-gas for energy.

Multiple choice

Composted manure is composed of:

  1. Cattle dung

  2. Animal excreta

  3. Rotten vegetables

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Compost is produced by the decomposition of organic matter, which includes cattle dung, animal excreta, and plant waste like rotten vegetables.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false?

a. Manures are bulky with low nutrient content. b. Manures are inconvenient to handle, store and transport. c. Manures are nutrient specific.

  1. Only (a)

  2. Both (a) and (b)

  3. Only (b)

  4. Both (b) and (c)

  5. Only (c)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as this is a false statement. Manures are not nutrient specific and thus, are not much useful when a particular nutrient is required for a particular crop.

Multiple choice

In which of the following categories is compost classified?

  1. Manure

  2. Fertiliser

  3. Pesticide

  4. Weedicide

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Compost is a form of organic nutrient obtained by the decomposition of dead plants and animals, and thus it belongs to the category “manure”. Fertilisers refer to the inorganic salts being prepared in the factories. Pesticides and weedicides are the chemicals, which act against pests and weeds, respectively. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is incorrect about manure?

  1. Manure is prepared in fields.

  2. Manure is prepared in factories.

  3. Manure is obtained by decomposition of animal wastes.

  4. Manure provides humus to the soil.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Manure is not prepared in factories. Fertilisers are prepared in factories.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is not correct regarding the use of fertilisers?

  1. Fertilisers are inorganic salts prepared in factories.

  2. Excessive use of fertilisers makes the soil less fertile.

  3. Fertilisers have become a source of water pollution.

  4. Fertilisers provide a lot of humus to soil.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Fertilisers do not provide humus to soil. The rest of the statements are true regarding fertilisers.

Multiple choice

How do plants get nitrogen?

  1. Nitrogen is present in abundance in the atmosphere.

  2. Soluble form of nitrogen is absorbed by plants along with water.

  3. Through fertilizers.

  4. Option (2) and (3) are correct.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Both are correct

Multiple choice

Which of the following practices cannot help soil replenishment?

  1. Adding chemical fertilizers

  2. Mixed cropping

  3. Field fallow

  4. Mono-culture

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Mono-culture involves growing the same crop repeatedly on the same land, which depletes specific soil nutrients and does not aid in replenishment. Mixed cropping and field fallow are traditional methods to restore soil fertility.