Environmental Studies · Biology

Soil Science and Fertilizers

1,509 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 biology air and atmosphere natural cycles and resources constituents of air medicinal use of microorganism component of air - nitrogen

Which of the following fertilizers does not replenish nitrogen in the soil?

  1. CAN

  2. Urea

  3. Superphosphate lime

  4. Ammonium phosphate
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Phosphate rock is too insoluble for direct use, and is commonly treated with sulfuric acid to make a mixture of calcium sulfate and the more soluble calcium hydrogen phosphate, called superphosphate.The use of superphosphate usually supplies adequate calcium. 

Multiple choice geography land use urban land use and urban problems and solutions urban settlements land use patterns

The toxic chemicals present in the soil can decrease soil fertility and therefore decrease in the soil yield, this is the __________.

  1. water pollution

  2. soil pollution

  3. air pollution

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

B.  Soil Pollution


The toxic chemicals present in the soil can decrease soil fertility and therefore decrease in the soil yield. The contaminated soil is then used to produce fruits and vegetables which lacks quality nutrients and may contain some poisonous substance to cause serious health problems in people consuming them.

Multiple choice geography land use urban land use and urban problems and solutions urban settlements land use patterns

_______ is the change in physical, chemical and biological conditions of the soil through man's intervention resulting in degradation in quantity and productivity of the soil.

  1. Soil pollution

  2. Water pollution

  3. Air pollution

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

Soil or land pollution can be defined as the changes in physical, chemical and biological conditions of the soil through man’s intervention/misuse of land and hence resulting in degradation in quantity and productivity of the soil. Causes of soil pollution are as follows:

  • Accidental spills and leaks.
  • Agricultural activities.
  • Transportation activities.
  • Chemical waste dumping.
Multiple choice bio-chemistry digestive system of human absorption mechanism absorption digestion

What is the basic difference between fertilizers and manures?

  1. Fertilizers are natural and manures are artificial

  2. Fertilizers are artificil and manures are natural

  3. Fertilizers increase the fertility of the soil and manures reduce the fertility of the soil

  4. Fertilizers prevents the growth of crop and manures increase the fertility of the soil

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

  • Fertilizers are  chemicals manufactured industrially, added to soil or land to increase its fertility.
  • Manure is organic matter, mostly derived from animal feces except which can be used as organic fertilizer in agriculture.

So, the correct option is 'Fertilizers are artificial and manures are natural'.

Multiple choice waste management - need for management of waste sanitation and solid waste management pollution, sources, effects and preventive measures man and environment geography treatment and disposal of waste waste generation and management - methods of safe disposal of waste

The process which involves in the decomposition of organic waste into humus is known as ___________.

  1. manure

  2. fertilizer

  3. compost

  4. none of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Composting is the process of biodegrading the organic matter into simpler substances aerobically (in the presence of oxygen) or anaerobically (in the absence of oxygen) by the action of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi which results into formation of compost or humus that is a dead and decayed matter which is further used as manure and fertilizers.

Multiple choice waste management - need for management of waste sanitation and solid waste management pollution, sources, effects and preventive measures man and environment geography treatment and disposal of waste waste generation and management - methods of safe disposal of waste

Which of the following are the major benefits of composting?

  1. It enhances soil nutrients and water retention capacity of soils

  2. It suppresses plant disease

  3. It rejuvenates poor soil by adding humus

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

Composting is the natural way of recycling which involves bio-degradation of organic waste and turning it into organic fertilizer. In this process, various microorganisms including bacteria and fungi break down the organic matter into simpler substances. It enhances the soil nutrients and water retention capacity of soil by moderating soil temperature and maintains the pH of the soil. It suppresses plant disease by providing them adequate nutrients to absorb and make the soil fertile.

Multiple choice geography agriculture in india - i : introduction agricultural policy in india indian agriculture problem and policies problems of indian agriculture

Leguminous crop enriches the soil with _______________.

  1. Phosphorus

  2. Nitrogen

  3. Potassium

  4. Water

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
  1. Leguminous plants contain symbiotic bacteria called Rhizobia within nodules in their root system, producing nitrogen compounds that help the plant to grow and compete with other plants.
  2.  This bacteria absorbs molecular nitrogen from the atmosphere and converts it into inorganic nitrogenous compounds which is used for organic nitrogenous compounds synthesis.
  3. When the plant dies, the fixed nitrogen is released, making it available to other plants and this helps to fertilize the soil.
Multiple choice botany mineral nutrition in plants hydroponics hydroculture essential and non-essential mineral elements nutrients and nutrition

Hydroponics is growing plants

  1. Without soil

  2. Without organic matter

  3. In water

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

Culturing of plants in soil less medium is called hydroponics. Plants are raised in small tanks filled with a solution containing appropriate quantities of all mineral elements. The solution is changed from time to time. It has a mechanism for aeration and circulation. Iron is added as Fe-EDTA otherwise it gets precipitated. EDTA is a chelating agent which keeps the metal ion in the soluble state. There is no need of organic matter. Hydroponics is useful in areas having thin, infertile and dry soils. Through this technique out of season fruits and vegetables can also be grown. 

Thus the correct option is D.

Multiple choice botany mineral nutrition in plants hydroponics hydroculture essential and non-essential mineral elements nutrients and nutrition

Hydroponics is growing of plants 

  1. Without soil.

  2. Without organic matter.

  3. In water.

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

Hydroponics is part of hydroculture and within this, the plant is growing in a soilless medium or in an aquatic-based environment, it uses only the mineral nutrient solution to feed the plants.

So, the correct answer is option D.

Multiple choice botany mineral nutrition in plants hydroponics hydroculture essential and non-essential mineral elements nutrients and nutrition

Mineral requirement is studied through hydroponics which is related to growing plants in

  1. Soil

  2. Air

  3. Solution

  4. Ponds
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Solution culture is being used for raising flowers and vegetables. This soil- less production of plants is called hydroponics. Plants are raised in small tanks. They are filled up with solution containing appropriate quantities of all mineral elements. The solution is changed from time to time.

So , the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice soil as a natural resource natural resources - air, water and land land physical resources biology

Out of the total cost of various ecosystem services, the soil formation accounts for about:-

  1. $50\%$
  2. $10\%$
  3. $6\%$
  4. $71\%$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Out of the aggregate expense of different ecosystem services, the dirt arrangement represents around 50 percent and commitments of different administrations like the diversion.

So, the correct option is '50%'.

Multiple choice soil as a natural resource natural resources - air, water and land land physical resources biology

What is best pH of soil for cultivation?

  1. 3.4 - 5.4

  2. 4.5 - 5.5

  3. 5.5 - 6.5

  4. 6.5 - 7.5
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

  • Soil nature is described in pH values. It can be alkaline, acidic or neutral. 
  • Highly acidic and highly saline soil often remains injurious for plant growth, microorganisms, etc. 
  • Soil pH strongly affects microbial activities. Neutral or slightly acidic soil (5.5-6.5) remains best for the growth of the majority of plants.

Therefore, the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice biology wastewater story sewage treatment wastewater treatment - need and methods conservation

Sheela's teacher said in her classroom that we should not dispose of motor oils and medicines in the drain. Why did her teacher say this statement?

  1. Motor oil and medicine allows the bacteria to grow.

  2. Motor oil and medicine hamper the degradation process.

  3. Motor oil and medicine blocks the soil pores.

  4. None of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
  • Sheela's teacher said in her classroom that we should not dispose of motor oils and medicines in the drain because Motor oil and medicine hamper(prevent) the degradation process.
  • Chemicals present in motor oil and medicine kill the microbes that facilitate degradation process.so do not throw them down the drain.
  • So, the correct answer is 'Motor oil and medicine hamper(prevent) the degradation process.'.