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 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 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 fertility can be increased with out addition of fertilisers by 

  1. Strip cropping

  2. Crop rotation

  3. Terracing

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

Crop rotation is the practice of growing a series of different types of crops in the same area in sequential seasons. Crop rotation gives various nutrients to the soil. Growing the same crop in the same place for many years in a row disproportionately depletes the soil of certain nutrients. With rotation, a crop that leaches the soil of one kind of nutrient is followed during the next growing season by a dissimilar crop that returns, that nutrient to the soil or draws a different ratio of nutrients: for example, rice followed by cotton. 

Strip cropping or strip farming is defined as alternating crop rows between heavy-rooted plants and loosely-rooted plants to minimize erosion. Terracing is the practice of creating nearly level areas in a hillside area. The terraces form a series of steps, each at a higher level than the previous.

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.

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

To produce best results from HYV seeds we need _______.

  1. Manure fertilizer

  2. Cow dung

  3. Good sunlight

  4. Plenty of water
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

HYV seeds stand for HEIGH YIELDING VARIETY. These are the good quality of seeds and produce a higher yield on a small piece of land but need plenty of water to produce the best results and they also increase the income of the farmers.

Multiple choice chemistry occurrence of carbon compounds in nature substances, objects and energy alternative fuels and energy sources alternative sources of energy

The residue from biogas plant serves as _______manure.

  1. inorganic

  2. organic

  3. synthetic

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Biogas is produced by anaerobic degradation of biological materials such as food wastes, animal and plant wastes. Biogas is produced when organic matter decomposes without oxygen in a process which is called anaerobic decomposition. Biogas consists mainly of methane, carbon dioxide and small amounts of impurities/residues.

So the residue from biogas plant serves as organic manure.

Multiple choice geography external forces - responsible for changes the soil soil erosion (geo) soil erosion, soil conservation and uses of soil

A fertile soil, suitable for growing common crops is likely to have a pH value of _____________.

  1. three

  2. four

  3. six to seven

  4. nine to ten
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Soil pH is a measure of the acidity and alkalinity in soils. pH levels range from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, below 7 acidic and above 7 alkalines. The optimal pH range for most plants is between 5.5 and 7.0; however, many plants have adapted to thrive at pH values outside this range.
Multiple choice biology soil : our life soil properties soil - properties basics of soil pollution

Most economical and effective method to control pH of the soil is 

  1. CaC$O _3$
  2. Ca$(OH) _2$
  3. CaC$l _2$
  4. Ca(NO$ _3$)$ _2$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
  • When a plant's soil pH increases the plant's ability to absorb certain nutrients is disrupted.
  • A pH of 6.0 to 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral) range is most suitable for the best growth of plants. 
  • A most economical and effective method to control the pH of the soil is the addition of $CaCO _3$ because it increases the pH level of acidic soil, thus reducing the acidity and increasing the alkalinity of the soil.
  • Hence the most economical and effective method to control the pH of the soil is $CaCO _3$.
  • So, the correct answer is '$CaCO _3$'.