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 is true about fertilisers?

  1. Fertilisers are organic matter

  2. Fertilisers are harmful if used in excess

  3. These are formed by decomposition

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Fertilisers are inorganic and are produced in factories.

Multiple choice

Legume plants are important for the atmosphere because they

  1. help in nitrogen fixation

  2. do not help in nitrogen fixation

  3. increase the soil fertility

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The rhizobia bacteria in the soil invades the root and multiplies within its cortex cells. It helps in the nitrogen fixation, thereby increasing the fertility of the soil.

Multiple choice

Plant ash is an indication of

  1. organic matter of plants

  2. waste product

  3. mineral salts that are absorbed by plants

  4. None of the above

  5. -
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Plant ash content is a measure of the total amount of minerals that are present within a food or plant.

Multiple choice

Mycorrhiza promotes plant growth by

  1. absorbing inorganic ions from soil

  2. helping the plant in utilising atmospheric nitrogen

  3. protecting the plant from infection

  4. serving as a plant growth regulator

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

Mycorrhizal fungal filaments in the soil are truly extensions of root systems and are more effective in nutrient and water absorption than the roots themselves. More than 90 percent of plant species in natural areas form a symbiotic relationship with the beneficial mycorrhizal fungi.

Multiple choice

Mycorrhiza helps in

  1. uptake of nutrition

  2. food manufacturing

  3. disease resistance

  4. disease prevention

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

Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association that is composed of a fungus and roots of a vascular plant. It helps in the uptake of nutrition.

Multiple choice

Plant ash indicates

  1. organic matter of plants

  2. mineral salts absorbed by the plants

  3. silica absorbed by the plants

  4. Both 1 and 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Plant ash includes all the mineral salts absorbed by the roots of the plants and the total organic matter present in the plants.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is not correct?

  1. Humans can impact soil formation by removing vegetation.

  2. Microorganisms help in increasing the soil fertility.

  3. Vegetation cannot prevent soil erosion.

  4. Growth of plants is affected by the density and pH of the soil.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

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Multiple choice

Salinization occurs when the irrigation water accumulated in the soil evaporates, leaving behind salts and minerals. What are the effects of salinization on the irrigated land?

  1. It greatly increases the crop production.

  2. It makes some soils impermeable.

  3. It raises the water table.

  4. It fills the air spaces in the soil with water.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Salinization is a process that results from:  High levels of salt in the soils  Landscape features allow salts to become mobile (Movement of water table).  Climatic trends favour accumulation.  Human activities such as land clearing, aquaculture activities, irrigation, and the salting of icy roads The consequences of salinity are  � salt makes some soils impermeable that have detrimental effects on plant growth and yield  � damage to infrastructure (roads, bricks, corrosion of pipes and cables)  � reduction of water quality for users, sedimentation problems  � soil erosion ultimately, when crops are too strongly affected by the amounts of salts.  Salinity is an important land degradation problem. Soil salinity can be reduced by leaching soluble salts out of soil with excess irrigation water. Soil salinity control involves water table control and flushing in combination with tile drainage or another form of subsurface drainage.

Multiple choice

With reference to micro-irrigation, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. Fertilizer/ nutrient loss can be reduced.
  2. It is the only means of irrigation in dry land farming.
  3. In some areas of farming, receding of ground water table can be checked.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:-

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 and 3 only

  3. 1 and 3 only

  4. 1, 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
  1. Drip irrigation, also known as trickle irrigation or micro-irrigation, is an irrigation method which saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters.
    2. This method is also applicable in farms, commercial greenhouses, and residential gardens.
    1. Drip irrigation may help to achieve water conservation by reducing evaporation and deep drainage when compared to other types of irrigation.
Multiple choice

What is the significance of 'ash' in the study of mineral nutrition of plants?

  1. It indicates what minerals are present in the soil.

  2. It indicates which element is essential and in what amount it is necessary for a particular plant.

  3. It is of no practical significance.

  4. It indicates how much irrigation is needed by the plant.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Ash of a plant indicates which element is essential and in what amount it is necessary for a particular plant.

Multiple choice

Plants absorb soil minerals in the form of a

  1. very dilute solution

  2. dilute solution

  3. concentrated solution

  4. highly concentrated solution
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Plants absorb soil minerals in the form of a very dilute solution.