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 botany living world mycorrhiza classification of fungi kingdom monera, protista and fungi useful and harmful microbes

Mycorrhiza is helpful in

  1. Synthesis of food

  2. Getting nutrients from soil

  3. Providing resistance against different regulators

  4. Increase the fertility of soil
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Mycorrhizae are primarily mutualistic associations that enhance the plant's ability to absorb water and mineral nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, from the soil.

Multiple choice botany living world mycorrhiza classification of fungi kingdom monera, protista and fungi useful and harmful microbes

Mycorrhiza improve the soil structure by _______________.

  1. Secreting carbonic acids

  2. Releasing glycosides

  3. Absorbing heavy metals

  4. Adding amino acids
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mycorrhizal fungi contribute to soil structure by secreting organic acids, such as carbonic acid, which help weather minerals and release nutrients, while also producing glomalin that helps aggregate soil particles.

Multiple choice botany living world mycorrhiza classification of fungi kingdom monera, protista and fungi useful and harmful microbes

Roots of higher plants develop mycorrhiza for obtaining

  1. Sulphates

  2. Nitrogen

  3. Phosphates

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

Mycorrhiza is a type of symbiotic relationship. It is seen when two organisms have mutually beneficial relationship with each other. In this cas, the roots of plants host fungi, which helps them obtain water, sulphur, phosphates from soil. They also help them fix nitrogen. Inturn, fungi obtain nutrition and shelter 

So, option D is the correct answer.

Multiple choice biology modern agriculture modern equipments in agriculture soil quality methods of crop production

The main function of cultivator is

  1. To turn the soil

  2. To make furrow in soil

  3. To pulverize the soil

  4. All of the above functions
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Cultivators are used to stir and pulverize the soil, either before planting (to aerate the soil and prepare a smooth, loose seedbed) or after the crop has begun growing to kill weeds—controlled disturbance of the topsoil close to the crop plants kills the surrounding weeds by uprooting them, burying their leaves to disrupt their photosynthesis or a combination of both. Cultivators are designed to disturb the soil in careful patterns, sparing the crop plants but disrupting the weeds.

Multiple choice botany adaptation plant adaptation adaptation in plants plant habitat importance and classification of angiosperms aquatic plant adaptations pollination through water life in water

Nitrates, phosphates and sulphates are plants

  1. Disease

  2. Pollutants

  3. Nutrients

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

Nitrates, phosphates, and sulphates are essential inorganic compounds that plants absorb from the soil to synthesize proteins and other vital molecules, thus acting as nutrients.

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

SO$ _2$ of the atmosphere combines with water to form H$ _2$SO$ _4$. When this reaches the soil

  1. It increases the pH of the soil

  2. It decreases the pH of the soil

  3. pH remains the same

  4. Soil texture changes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Acid rain is a mixture of wet and dry deposition from the atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. 

Acid rain formation result from both natural sources, such as volcanoes and decaying vegetation, and man-made sources, primarily emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides resulting from fossil fuel combustion. These gases react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form various acidic compounds. 
When this rain falls on the soil, the soil becomes acidic. Also, the leaves get destroyed and germinating seeds get corroded. Plants experience stunted growth. Thus, vegetation is destroyed.

Multiple choice economics environmental economics acid rain air pollution - effects and control air pollution and its effects

Identify the correct statements about acid rain.
I. Acid rain is caused by nitric acid and sulfuric acid.
II. Acid rain can damage plants directly.
III. Acid rain can cause magnesium and calcium to be leached from the soil.

  1. I only

  2. II only

  3. III only

  4. Both II and III

  5. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Acid Rain is any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms.

It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and infrastructure. It weaken the trees by damaging their leaves, limiting the nutrients available to them, or poisoning them with toxic substances slowly released from the soil.
Soil chemistry can be dramatically changed when base cations, such as calcium and magnesium, are leached by acid rain thereby affecting sensitive species. Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Multiple choice geography irrigation and power irrigation in india tanks and fisheries source of water

Which of the following methods of cultivation causes salinisation of soil?

  1. Transplantation

  2. Crop rotation

  3. Excessive irrigation

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

Excessive irrigation increases the amount of salt on the surface of soil due to evaporation. The accumulation of salts damages the soil fertility, except rice; almost all crops receive as ever set back in their growth when excess water stagnates. 

Multiple choice biology reproduction in higher plants growth and development in plants sexual reproduction in plants post fertilization - plants

Read the statements given below and determine the correct statements.
(i) Seeds require moisture for germination.
(ii) Plants can absorb nutrients mostly in dissolved form.
(iii) Irrigation protects crops from both frost and hot air currents.
(iv) Irrigation improves soil texture.
Choose the combination of statements which indicate the need to irrigate crops.

  1. (i) and (ii)

  2. (i), (ii), (iii)

  3. (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)

  4. (i) and (iii)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A dormant seed contains only 10-15% of water and is essentially dehydrated. The seed has to absorb water in order to become active. Plants grow by absorbing nutrients from the soil and all the nutrients have to be in the dissolved form.
Irrigation does not always improve soil texture. Irrigation does not protect the crops from frost. Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall.

Multiple choice evs whose forests? improved methods of agriculture cropping patterns food for all conservation of forest and wildlife wildlife deforestation and conservation

Weeding is necessary because_______________

  1. They affect growth of the plant

  2. They affect the nutrients supplied to the soil

  3. Both A and B

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

Weeding is necessary since weeds compete with the crop plants for water, nutrients, space and light. Thus, they affect the growth of the crop. Some weeds interfere even in harvesting and may be poisonous for animals and human beings. 

Therefore, the correct answer is the option C.

Multiple choice civics the nature of the indian economy part 1 three phases of indian agriculture cash crops of india agricultural nature of indian economy plantation of crops

What is the full form of chemical fertilizer, N.P.K.?

  1. Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Calcium

  2. Nitric acid, Phosphorus and Calcium

  3. Nitrogen Phosphorus and Potassium

  4. Nitric acid, Phosphorus and Potassium
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

NPK stands for "nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium," the three nutrients that compose complete fertilizers. ... Also implied is a percentage symbol after each number because each of the three numbers represents the percentage of that nutrient in the makeup of the fertilizer.

Multiple choice evs a seeds tells a farmer's story manure manures and fertilisers water absorption organ

What is manure?

  1. It is a natural material obtained by decaying plant and animal waste.

  2. It is a synthetic material prepared in laboratory.

  3. It is a semi synthetic material.

  4. It can be both natural and synthetic.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Manure is a natural material, obtained by decaying plant and animal waste, that can be applied to the soil to enhance its fertility. Manure usually consist of faeces and urine of domestic livestock, with or without accompanying litter such as straw, hay, or bedding. The most common sources of manure are cows, horses, sheep.

So, the correct answer is 'It is a natural material obtained by decaying plant and animal waste '.

Multiple choice evs a seeds tells a farmer's story manure manures and fertilisers water absorption organ

The organic manure is considered better than fertilisers because

  1. It can be prepared in the factories.

  2. It is less rich in plant nutrient.

  3. It improves the texture of the soil.

  4. It decreases the water holding capacity of the soil.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The organic manure contains a high amount of organic matter which increases the capability of the soil to hold the water. They are prepared by the decomposition of the organic matter by the microbes. They are highly rich in the plant nutrients. They also help to improve the quality and texture of the soil. The gaseous exchange takes place easily in this soil which allows the germination and growth of the plants properly. 

Thus, the correct answer is option C.