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 solid waste and its management conservation of environment

Peel of fruits and vegetables are mainly used for 

  1. Compost

  2. Weedicides

  3. Fertilizer

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

The peel of fruits and vegetables contain cellulose and pectin. These are the biodegradable form of wastes. They can be decomposed with the action of the microbes. These wastes are used for the production of compost which can be used as manure for the agricultural crops. 

Thus, the correct answer is option A. 

Multiple choice perfect competition and monopoly market structure and pricing economics

Composting helps reduce the adverse effects of excessive alkalinity, acidity, or the excessive use of chemical fertilizer.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Compost acts as a soil conditioner that helps buffer soil pH and improves soil structure, effectively mitigating issues caused by chemical fertilizers.

Multiple choice perfect competition and monopoly market structure and pricing economics

What are the advantages of composting?

  1. It reduces need for landfill space

  2. It converts organic matter into stable compost that is odour and pathogen free and can be used as manure

  3. It reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides

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

Composting provides multiple benefits: it reduces landfill volume, produces useful soil amendments, and decreases reliance on synthetic chemicals.

Multiple choice evs mud and stones importance of soil in agriculture soil - formation, profile and properties soil as a natural resource

Soil helps plants by

  1. Supplying them water and minerals.

  2. Supplying them air.

  3. Preparing food in their plants.

  4. Helping them move from one place to another.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The roots of the plants are held firmly in the soil. Different types of soil have different texture and particles. They have different levels of minerals and nutrients embedded in them. Roots absorb water from the soil by the process of osmosis. Along with water, mineral nutrients also enter the soil.

So, we can say that option A "Supplying them water and minerals" is the correct answer. 

Multiple choice evs mud and stones importance of soil in agriculture soil - formation, profile and properties soil as a natural resource

Top soil contains which of the following?

  1. Humus and living organisms only.

  2. Humus and soil particles only.

  3. Humus, living organisms and plants.

  4. Humus, living organisms and soil particles.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Top soil is the topmost and outermost layer of the soil, which is usually 2 inches to 8 inches layer. It is generally dark in colour due to humus, i.e., partially decayed organic matter, soil particles and living organisms as soil bacteria etc. 

Multiple choice evs mud and stones importance of soil in agriculture soil - formation, profile and properties soil as a natural resource

Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given.
The fertility of soil is reduced by

  1. ammonifying bacteria

  2. denitrifying bacteria

  3. nitrifying bacteria

  4. nitrogen fixing bacteria
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Decomposers also break down the bodies of dead organisms resulting in nitrogen being returned to the soil as ammonia. In some conditions, denitrifying bacteria in the soil break down nitrates and return nitrogen to the air. This is usually in waterlogged soil. Hence, making it unavailable for plant roots. So, the correct option is 'Denitrifying bacteria'

Multiple choice evs mud and stones importance of soil in agriculture soil - formation, profile and properties soil as a natural resource

Materials of biological origin which are commonly used to maintain and improve soil fertility are 

  1. green manures

  2. biofertilizers

  3. bioinsecticides

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

Green manures are added to the soil to increase the productivity. Manures is of natural origin. The presence of nutrients in manure have a great role in increasing soil fertility. Biofertilizers are organisms which enrich the soil with nutrients e.g., Rhizobiumin symbiotic association with legume plants.

Multiple choice zoology bio-geo chemical cycles in nature nutrient cycles- flow of substances carbon cycle biogeochemical cycles - gaseous

Some of the nutrient cycles are labelled as below. Sulphur
cycle (A), phosphorus cycle (B), carbon cycle (C) and
nitrogen cycle (D)
Of these, the sedimentary cycle is represented by

  1. (A) only

  2. (B) only

  3. (C) only

  4. (A) and (B) only

  5. (C) and (D) only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Sedimentary cycles involve elements that spend most of their time in the Earth's crust. Both the sulphur and phosphorus cycles are classified as sedimentary cycles, as their main reservoirs are rocks and soil.

Multiple choice economics environment pollution strategies to control environmental pollution strategies to control pollution strategies to control environmental pollution and green chemistry

_______ or using plants (such as willow) to extract heavy metals can prevent soil pollution.

  1. Phytoremediation

  2. Biofertilizer

  3. Bioremediation

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

Phytoremediation, or using plants (such as willow) to extract heavy metals can be an effective method to prevent soil pollution.

Multiple choice economics environment pollution strategies to control environmental pollution strategies to control pollution strategies to control environmental pollution and green chemistry

Compost is being used for all of the following except:

  1. landfill cover

  2. landscaping

  3. low grade fertilizers

  4. agricultural field
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Compost is a key ingredient in organic farming. At the simplest level, the process of composting requires making a heap of wetted organic matter known as green waste (leaves, food waste) and waiting for the materials to break down into humus after a period of weeks or months.