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 chemistry environmental chemistry biochemistry and the environment green chemistry strategies to control environmental pollution and green chemistry

Which of the following reaction occur when urea is added to soil as a fertilizer?

  1. $NH _{ 2 }CONH _{ 2 }\longrightarrow HNCO+NH _{ 3 }$
  2. $N{ H } _{ 2 }CON{ H } _{ 2 }+{ H } _{ 2 }O\longrightarrow 2N{ H } _{ 3 }+C{ O } _{ 2 }$
  3. $2NH _{ 2 }CONH _{ 2 }\longrightarrow H _{ 2 }NCONHCONH _{ 2 }+NH _{ 3 }$

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

Urea is a major fertilizer used worldwide. It provides nitrogen to the soil by decomposing to ammonia and $CO _2$ when acted on by urease, an enzyme in soils. Then, ammonia is taken by the plants.


$N{ H } _{ 2 }CON{ H } _{ 2 }+{ H } _{ 2 }O\longrightarrow 2N{ H } _{ 3 }+C{ O } _{ 2 }$

Hence the correct option is B.

Multiple choice biology constitutes of diet role of vitamins functions and principal sources of vitamins and minerals digestive disorders need for nutrients

Mark the correct statement

  1. Amount of Nitrogen in the atmosphere varies

  2. Atmospheric Nitrogen is directly used by plants and animals

  3. Nitrogen is present in Vitamines

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

The amount of nitrogen in the atmosphere remains fixed. Nitrogen cycle keeps the atmospheric. nitrogen more or less constant. Atmospheric nitrogen cannot be taken directly by plants and animals various steps process are done by microbes to convert it into usable forms. Vitamins contain nitrogen.

Multiple choice chemistry acids and alkalis neutralisations in everyday life acids and bases in daily life neutralisation reaction

Basic soil can be corrected by adding:

  1. urea

  2. nitric acid

  3. organic manure

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

Plants can neither grow in too acidic conditions nor grow in too basic conditions. Thus for the proper growth of the plant optimum pH of the soil has to be maintained.


If the soil is too basic then it can be corrected by using organic manure. Compost micro-organisms operate best under neutral to acidic conditions with their pH ranging from 5.8 to 8. 


Thus they not only help in maintaining the pH of the soil but also increase the nutrient availability and improve the quality of the soil (unlike inorganic chemical fertilizers which damage the soil quality). 

Thus organic manure creates acidic conditions, which help in neutralizing the basic soil and makes the pH optimum for plant growth.

Hence, the correct answer is the option (C).

Multiple choice chemistry introduction to acid and base neutralisations in everyday life acids and bases in daily life neutralisation reaction

If the soil is basic the plant do not grow proper, what should we add to it to improve its quality?

  1. Slaked lime

  2. Quick lime

  3. Urea

  4. Organic matter
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

To improve the quality of a basic soil, an acid should be added. Slaked lime ($ Ca{ (OH) } _{ 2 } $) and quick lime ($ Ca{ O }$) are basic in nature. Urea is neutral. Hence, organic matter is the answer.

Multiple choice evs seeds and seeds plant adaptation and modification leaves leaf modification

Plants capable of growing in nitrogen deficient soil is

  1. Orchids

  2. Ferns

  3. Insectivorous plants

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

Insectivorous plants are plants which are capable of growing in nitrogen deficient soil because they obtain their nitrogen content partially from the insects they ingest.

So, the correct option is 'Insectivorous plants'.

Multiple choice evs seeds and seeds plant adaptation and modification leaves leaf modification

In which type of soil pitcher plants can grow?

  1. Phosphorus deficient soil

  2. Potassium deficient soil

  3. Nitrogen deficient soil

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

Carnivorous plants like pitcher plants are having a trapping mechanism designed to catch and digest insects. They do this to obtain the nutrients not found in the soil. They derive nitrogen from the prey they trap and thus they can grow in nitrogen-deficient soil.

The correct option is C. 

Multiple choice evs seeds and seeds plant adaptation and modification leaves leaf modification

Pitcher plant can grow in nitrogen deficient soil.

  1. True

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

A) Carnivorous plants like pitcher plant have a trapping mechanism designed to catch and digest insects. They do this in order to obtain nutrients not found in the soil. They derive nitrogen from the prey they trap and hence, can grow in nitrogen deficient soil.

B) Pitcher plants can grow in nitrogen deficient soil.
So the correct answer is 'True'.

Multiple choice biology transport in plant transport of water and minerals conduction of water and minerals absorption of water and minerals in plants

When the concentration of the soil solutes is low, the absorption of water is

  1. Retarted

  2. Increase

  3. Remains normal

  4. Stopped
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

When concentration of soil solutes is low then the soil solution is hypotonic as compared to cell sap. Water always flows from a hypotonic solution to a hypertonic solution. Hence, when the soil solution is hypotonic due to low concentration of solutes, the water flows into the cell due to the process of endosmosis and absorption of water is increased.

Multiple choice biology transport in plant transport of water and minerals conduction of water and minerals absorption of water and minerals in plants

When concentration of solutes is low in the soil, absorption of water is 

  1. Stopped

  2. Increased

  3. Retarded

  4. Normal
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Roots absorp water from soil through diffusion process. Diffusion occurs in the presence of  concentration gradient. When amount of solute is less in soil solution then amount of water is more in soil solution. In this condition more amount of water will diffuse from soil to roots that's why water absorption is increased.

Multiple choice evs soil : our life soil profile soil- our life soil and crops

Which of the following are the substances that are present in the soil and required for the growth of crops?

  1. Manures

  2. Pesticides

  3. Fertilisers

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

We know that the growth of plants in the soil requires the presence of certain substances in it. This includes water and also nutrients present inside the soil.

Manures, as we know are prepared naturally by the process of decomposition of plant and animal bodies in the soi. They are not present in the soil but have to be prepared by composting and then added to the crop soil.
Pesticides are chemical substances that sprayed on the crop plants artificially to protect them from insect pests.
Fertilizers are also chemically prepared substances added to the soil to improves its nutritive value.
So, option D "Nutrients' is the correct answer.





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Multiple choice evs soil : our life soil profile soil- our life soil and crops

Why are earthworms important in soils?

  1. Earthworms are segmented which means that they cause more caverns for other bacteria

    and microbes to be present underground

  2. Earthworms produce fluids which enrich the soil aiding for nitrogen to be present for plant

    growth

  3. Earthworms inhibit gaseous exchange killing other bacteria which can be harmful to plants

  4. Earthworms ingest soil and excrete soil which allows for some chemicals to be
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation: These burrows create pores through which oxygen and water can enter and carbondioxide can leave the soil. Earthworm casts (their faeces) are also very important in soils and are responsible for some of the fine crumb structure of soils.

Multiple choice evs mud and stones soil types types of soil soil - types, uses and need for conservation

Humus is important for plant growth as it is

  1. Made of dead organic matter

  2. Derived from leaves

  3. Rich in nutrients and increases water holding capacity of soil

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

Humus is the organic component of soil formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant matter. It is vital because it provides essential nutrients and significantly improves the soil's ability to hold water.

Multiple choice evs mud and stones soil types types of soil soil - types, uses and need for conservation

Build up of organic material in soil is under which of the following conditions to

  1. $< 10^oC$ temperature, Absence of oxygen.

  2. Warm temperature, Humid environment
  3. Aerobic conditions, $>25^oC$ temperature

  4. Nitrogen rich detritus, optimum moisture
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Presence of oxygen is necessary for the growth of a microorganism in the organic matter. Under anaerobic conditions most of fungi and actinomycetes growth suppressed only a few bacteria grow in anaerobic organic decomposition. The rate of temperature for maximum growth of the microorganism is 30° to 40°'. The adequate moisture is required for the proper decomposition of organic matter. The rate of decomposition of organic matter is maximum in the neutral soils than the acidic soil. C: N  ratio has a great influence on the decomposition. Narrow C: N ratio of soil and organic water is required for rapid and better decomposition of organic matter.

So, the correct answer is ' Aerobic conditions, > 25°C temperature '


Multiple choice evs modern agriculture agricultural practices in india different types of farming and agriculture various agricultural practices

In which of the following methods the nutrients are supplied through drip irrigation?

  1. Precision farming

  2. Composite farming

  3. Polyhouse farming

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

Drip irrigation also called micro irrigation system is the best for watering plants in a polyhouse. In drip irrigation system, water under high pressure is forced through nozzles arranged on a supporting stand at about 1 feet height. This enables watering at the base level of the plants.This watering system ensures that water does not fall on the leaves or flowers as it leads to disease and scorching problems.