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 geography mineral resources in rajasthan climate and season cycle climate, soil, natural vegetation and animals of rajasthan study of rocks and soil formation position of rajasthan in indian economy

Presence of which of the following component/s make the desert sands fertile for agricultural crops where water supply is regular?

  1. Phosphates

  2. Nitrates

  3. Both A and B

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

Though there is very less fertility in desert soils to support agriculture, the presence of Phosphates and Nitrate components make the desert sands fertile for agricultural crops where water supply is regular.

Multiple choice commercial studies striving for a better environment soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Crop rotation is helpful because

  1. lt provides more nitrates in the soil.

  2. lt provides more sulphates in the soil.

  3. lt provides more potassium in the soil.

  4. lt provides more phosphorus in the soil.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

If the same crop is grown year after year, fertility of soil is lost due to utilization of same minerals again and again, thus, disturbing the soil structure, which facilitates soil erosion. Legumes are useful in rotation of crops because of having nodulated roots which harbour nitrogen fixing Rhizobium bacteria and it leaves more nitrates in the soil when the roots are left over in fields and only aerial parts of legume crops are harvested.

Multiple choice commercial studies striving for a better environment soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Which of the following may increase the fertility of soil?

  1. Vermicompost

  2. Manure

  3. Industrial waste

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

Vermicomposting is a method in which earthworms are used to convert the organic wastes into compost, which is a good fertilizer for plants. It increases the soil fertility. Manure is the organic matter mainly animal feces and straw. It adds nutrients (nitrogen) in the soil, which increases the soil fertility. So, the correct option is D.

Multiple choice commercial studies striving for a better environment soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Which of the following can be considered as soil pollutants?

  1. Fertilizers

  2. Pesticides

  3. Weedicides

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

Soil pollution is caused by removal or addition of substances which decrease its productivity. It is caused by agrochemicals, industrial wastes, municipal wastes etc. It adversely affects the fertility of the soil. Pesticides, weedicides, and fertilizers are added to soil in agriculture practices to remove unwanted plants and increase the fertility of the soil. These chemicals penetrate into soil and damages the soil.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.

Multiple choice evs - i rules are for everyone soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment sustainability of natural resources adaptations - mangrove swamps, fast flowing rivers and treetops halophiles

Soil conservation is the process where 

  1. Soil is aerated

  2. Sterile soil is converted into fertile soil

  3. Soil is protected against loss

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

Soil conservation is the prevention of soil from erosion or reduced fertility caused by overuse, acidification, salinization or other chemical soil contamination. Techniques for improved soil conservation include crop rotation, cover crops, conservation tillage and planted windbreaks, that affect both erosion and fertility. 

Multiple choice evs - i the environment and us soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Which of the following kills the organisms in the soil?

  1. Metallic substances

  2. Earthern pots

  3. Polythene bags and plastics

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

As a result of various activities of mankind, our environment is getting increasingly polluted. pollutants are of 2 types: Biodegradable and non-bio degradable

Biodegradable pollutants are the ones which decompose after some time but non-bio degradable pollutants are the ones which don't degrade easily. 
Plastics are non-bio degradable wastes. They remain intact until a long period of time. it takes thousands of years for plastic to get rid of its toxic substances and break down. Thus, their toxic chemicals cause harm to the plants. Apart from this, if any plastic material or polythene bag is eaten by animals, they eat the toxic substance present in them and thus catch deadly diseases. 
Thus, Plastics and polythene bags are extremely harmful to the environment.
So, option C ' Polythene bags and plastics' is the correct option.





Multiple choice commercial studies striving for a better environment soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Aeration of soil can be increased by

  1. Earthworm

  2. Domestic waste

  3. Industrial waste

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
Earthworms increase the soil porosity by improving the soil aggregation and by creating permanent burrows. By increasing the porosity, they help in the exchange of gases with the atmosphere. They also increase the water holding capacity of soil, moisture content, soil texture and degrade pesticide residues. They decompose the organic matter and add humus to the soil. So, the correct option is A.
Multiple choice commercial studies striving for a better environment soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Soil pollution can be controlled by

  1. Planting trees on barren slopes

  2. Proper dumping of unwanted materials

  3. Production of natural fertilizers

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

Soil pollution can be controlled by several factors. It includes the limited use of fertilizers and pesticides. The biological control method must be known and implemented. The grazing must be controlled and forest management should be done properly. The afforestation and reforestation must be done. In areas of wind erosion wind breaks and shields must be used. The soil binding grass must be planted and the large trees must be placed along the banks. The industrial wastes must be dumped in the low lying areas. There is a definite technique of cropping which does not allow the weeds to settle on the fields.
So, the correct answer is 'All of the above'.

Multiple choice commercial studies striving for a better environment soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Which of the following helps in the formation of compost?

  1. Earthworm

  2. Flatworm

  3. Leech

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

Earthworms are traditionally called as friends of farmers because they increase aeration and make available nitrogen and potassium to plants in easily usable form. The dead and decaying materials contain certain complex molecules which are churned and broken down into simpler one and forms compost. The process is known as vermicomposting.

Thus, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice commercial studies striving for a better environment soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Which of the following may cause the disturbance in soil profile?

  1. Industrial effluents

  2. Domestic waste

  3. Biodegradable waste

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

The industrial wastes include the chemicals which act as pollutants. These pollutants reduce the fertility of the soil and the soil becomes less productive. This disturbs the soil profile and nutrient content of the soil. The number of beneficial microbes in the soil gets reduced. The domestic and biodegradable wastes can be degraded by the microbial activity and converted to nutrient forms. So, there is no effect of these wastes in the contamination of the soil.

Thus, the correct answer is option A. 

Multiple choice evs - i the environment and us soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Soil pollution can cause digestive problems.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
  • Soil pollution is defined as the presence of toxic chemicals (pollutants or contaminants) in soil, in high enough concentrations to pose a risk to human health and/or the ecosystem.
  • Soil pollution causes digestive problems such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, etc. Soil pollution can also cause a neuromuscular blockage as well as depression of the central nervous system, headaches, nausea, fatigue, eye irritation, and skin rash.
  • Hence Soil pollution can cause digestive problems is a true statement.
  • So, the correct answer is 'True'.
Multiple choice evs - i the environment and us soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Which of the following statement is incorrect?

  1. Pesticides seeps into the soil and affects it biological level by killing the natural bacteria in the soil.

  2. Soil pollution does not affect the productivity of the soil.

  3. Soil contaminants move away from the soil into crops which causes digestive problems.

  4. Air borne contaminants can also cause soil pollution.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
  • Soil pollution is defined as the presence of toxic chemicals (pollutants or contaminants) in soil, in high enough concentrations to pose a risk to human health and/or the ecosystem.
  • Due to the soil pollution the harmful chemicals present in the soil increase toxicity so soil fertility decreases and yield of soil is also decreased. Hence soil pollution affects the productivity of the soil.
  • Hence Soil pollution does not affect the productivity of the soil is a wrong statement.
  • So, the correct answer is 'Option B'.
Multiple choice commercial studies striving for a better environment soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

The importance of soil for plant growth is

  1. Soil provides water

  2. Soil provides nutrients

  3. Soil provides support

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

The importance of soil for plant growth is
1. Anchoring the plant.
2. Source of water and minerals.
3. Availability of oxygen for respiration of root cells.
4. Symbiotic association with microbes.

Therefore, the correct answer is option D.

Multiple choice civics agriculture sector rural credit role of agriculture sector green revolution animal husbandry and fishery cattle farming

Select the correct code for Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) policy on the fertilizers:
1. Unlike earlier policy, the subsidy now goes directly to the end-users. i.e.. farmers.
2. MRPs of fertilizers are now fixed by the manufacturer and importers— international prices of fertilizers and their raw meterials now show up in their MRPs in in India unlike the erlier times.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Fertilizers subsidy still goes to the manufacturers/importers but since it has been put on the value of 'nutrients' available in them the government has been able to cut down the cost of fertilizers subsidies. Statement-2 is correct. 

Multiple choice geography human environment interactions: the tropical and the subtropical region plantation of crops agricultural nature of indian economy the nature of the indian economy part 1

Which of the following is a new bio-fertilizers?

  1. Green Blue Algae

  2. Nitrates

  3. Compost

  4. Farmyard manure
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Blue Green Algae
Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum and blue green algae(BGA) have been traditionally used as Biofertilizers. Rhizobiuminoculant is used for leguminous crops such as pulses. Azotobacter can be used with crops like wheat, maize, mustard, cotton, potato and other vegetable crops.