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 solid waste management environmental management biology

Which of the following cannot be added in a composting pit to prepare compost?

  1. Fruit and vegetable peels and paper cups

  2. Earthworms and redworms

  3. Pea plants, dried leaves and sunflower plants

  4. Flowers of plastic and a glass vase
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

When garbage such as leftover food, fruit and vegetable peels, paper and animals waste is collected in heaps, decomposers such as bacteria, insects such as earthworms and fungi act on it and break it down as these components are organic in nature. This product which is formed by this action of decomposers is called compost. This process is called composting and the compost can be used to increase the plant yield. Thus the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice solid waste management environmental management biology

Which of the following demonstrates the use of compost?

  1. Fodder

  2. Fertilizer

  3. Pesticide

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

Compost is an organic matter that has been decomposed for the better growth of crops. Compost is added to the soil so that the plants get sufficient nutrients from the soil. Composts are rich in nutrients.

So, the correct option is 'Fertilizer'.

Multiple choice business organisation and correspondence waste and its management sources of waste protecting our environment rules are for everyone

The ............  in microbial flora in the soil is an indicator of soil pollution.

  1. Decrease

  2. Increase

  3. Gradual increase and decrease

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

When the soil is polluted, there is a decrease in the quality and fertility of the soil. The nutrients which were present in the soil has been lost. This results in a reduction in the number of microbes which were inhabited in the soil. So, when there is a decrease in the level of the microbial flora of the soil, it indicates that the soil has been polluted.

Thus, the correct answer is option A. 

Multiple choice business organisation and correspondence waste and its management sources of waste protecting our environment rules are for everyone

Reduction in soil productivity due to undesirable substances is a type of

  1. Negative soil pollution

  2. Positive soil pollution

  3. Neutral pollution

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

The removal or addition of substances and factors which decrease its productivity, quality of plants and ground water is called as soil pollution, reduction in soil productivity due to the addition of undesirable substances is a positive soil pollution and negative soil pollution is the reduction in soil productivity due to erosion and overuse. The neutral pollution mainly caused due to change in the pH of the soil. Thus, the correct answer is option B.

Multiple choice business organisation and correspondence waste and its management sources of waste protecting our environment rules are for everyone

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

  1. Green manure

  2. Biofertilizers

  3. Bioinsecticides

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

Most soils are naturally fertile but to maintain the fertile nature, fertilizers are needed. Green manure and biofertilizers contains range of nutrients in different proportions which are essential for plants.

Multiple choice business organisation and correspondence waste and its management sources of waste protecting our environment rules are for everyone

Soil pollutants affecting food chains and food webs by killing microorganisms are?

  1. Chemical fertilizers

  2. Agriculture wastes

  3. Pesticides

  4. Pathogens
  5. $NO _2$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
Chemical fertilizers are synthetic substances that provide the necessary nutrients for healthy plant growth and development. But the overfertilization may cause soil pollution which can then kill plants and other microorganisms and disturb the food chains.
So the correct answer is 'Chemical fertilizers'.
Multiple choice evs - i waste and its management sources of waste protecting our environment rules are for everyone

What is the main reason why the soil becomes contaminated?

  1. Organic methods of farming

  2. Agriculture farming

  3. The presence of man made waste

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

Soil contamination is largely driven by the accumulation of non-biodegradable or toxic materials introduced by human activity, such as industrial waste, plastics, and chemicals.

Multiple choice business organisation and correspondence waste and its management sources of waste protecting our environment rules are for everyone

Acid rain cause soil pollution by

  1. Changing the chemical nature of soil

  2. Altering the fertility of soil

  3. Increasing the mineral content of the soil

  4. Both A and B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Acid rain introduces acidic compounds into the soil, which alters its chemical balance (pH) and leaches essential nutrients, thereby negatively affecting soil fertility.

Multiple choice business organisation and correspondence waste and its management sources of waste protecting our environment rules are for everyone

What is the effect of soil pollution on growth of plants?

  1. The ecological balance gets affected due to the widespread contamination of the soil.

  2. Growth of plants increases

  3. Growth of plants is retarted

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

Soil pollution introduces toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and contaminants that hinder root development, nutrient uptake, and overall physiological processes in plants, leading to retarded growth.

Multiple choice business organisation and correspondence waste and its management sources of waste protecting our environment rules are for everyone

Which of the following has an adverse effect on the soil?

  1. Increase in microbial content of the soil

  2. Increase in biodegradable waste

  3. Increase in agricultural waste

  4. Both A and B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The harmful change in the colour, texture, and quality of soil due to addition and removal of any material is called soil pollution. Soil pollution reduces the productivity of the soil. There are several pollutants that cause soil pollution. For example, agricultural wastes, radioactive wastes and discarded materials of hospitals etc. The agricultural waste includes pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, weedicides etc. These are the chemicals that are involved in changing the pH of the soil. For example, repeated use of fertilizers makes the soil acidic which in turn decreases the productivity of the soil. So, the correct option is C.

Multiple choice business organisation and correspondence waste and its management sources of waste protecting our environment rules are for everyone

The process of laterization results into

  1. Degradation of soil

  2. Formation of humus

  3. Mineralization of humus

  4. Formation of soil
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
Laterization is degradation of soil. They occur in the hot, rainy tropics where chemical weathering proceeds at a rapid rate. These soils are acidic, which are deficient in lime, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium but rich in iron and aluminium. It support growth of tea, coffee, rubber cardamon and paddy.
Multiple choice business organisation and correspondence waste and its management sources of waste protecting our environment rules are for everyone

Which of the following can be used for microbial digestion of certain organic chemicals which causes soil pollution?

  1. Biosensor

  2. Bioaugmentation

  3. Bioremediation

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

Bioremediation means cleaning of the environment of organic chemicals with the help of microbes, plant and animal species. The organisms involved in bioremediation are of two types, hyperaccumulators and detoxifying. Hyperaccumulators are used in bioprospecting and removal of minerals from wastes. The detoxifying agents metabolize the harmful chemicals through various biochemical reactions.

Thus, the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice business organisation and correspondence waste and its management sources of waste protecting our environment rules are for everyone

Soil salinity affects the plant growth by

  1. Reducing the roots ability to extract water from the soil

  2. Reducing the rate of flowering

  3. Reducing the rate of ripening

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

Soil salinity may be due to the presence of soluble salts in the soil water. This causes salt stress. Due to the presence of salts, the rate of absorption of water is decreased. The absorption of the water with salts may cause cell injury because the water is evaporated as transpiration. There is an accumulation of the salts which may result in cell injury. Hence, the plant will prevent the uptake of salt water and there will be a reduction in the water absorption.

Thus, the correct answer is option A. 

Multiple choice business organisation and correspondence waste and its management sources of waste protecting our environment rules are for everyone

Why industrial waste contaminates the soil?

  1. They adversely affect the fertility of soil

  2. They change the colour of the soil

  3. They change the pH of the soil

  4. Both A and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Soil pollution is caused by the addition of substances and factors which decrease its productivity. It is caused by agrochemicals, industrial wastes, municipal wastes etc. It adversely affects the fertility of the soil. The industrial waste lingers in the soil surface for a long time and makes it unsuitable for use by changing the pH of the soil. Pesticides and herbicides are used in agricultural practices and these chemicals penetrate into the soil and change the pH of the soil, affecting its fertility.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.

Multiple choice business organisation and correspondence waste and its management sources of waste protecting our environment rules are for everyone

Positive pollution of soil is due to:

  1. Excessive use of fertilizers

  2. Addition of wastes on soil

  3. Reduction in soil productivity

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

Soil pollution is alteration in soil caused by removal or addition of substances and factors, which decrease its productivity and quality of plants and ground water. Negative soil pollution is reduction in soil productivity due to erosion and over use. Positive soil pollution is reduction in soil productivity due to addition of undesirable substances e.g., agrochemicals, industrial wastes, air pollutants washed down by rain, faulty sanitation etc. Pesticides and fertilisers are the two most important types of agrochemicals.