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 biology soil : our life soil properties soil - properties basics of soil pollution

Solubility and availability of plant nutrients are related to

  1. Soil pH

  2. Soil porosity

  3. Soil temperature

  4. Soil colour
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Soil pH is important because it influences several soil factors affecting plant growth, such as :

(1) soil bacteria, 
(2) nutrient leaching, 
(3) nutrient availability, 
(4) toxic elements, and 
(5) soil structure. 
Bacterial activity that releases nitrogen from organic matter and certain fertilizers is particularly affected by soil pH, because bacteria operate best in the pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. Plant nutrients leach out of soils with a pH below 5.0 much more rapidly than from soils with values between 5.0 and 7.5. Plant nutrients are generally most available to plants in the pH range 5.5 to 6.5.

Multiple choice biology soil : our life soil properties soil - properties basics of soil pollution

Solubility and availability of plant nutrients are more related to

  1. Soil pH

  2. Soil porosity

  3. Soil temperature

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

Soil porosity is percentage and type of soil pores or interstices. It is of two types - microspores and macrospores. Macrospores are  non capillary pores of more than 20 micrometer diameter. Gravitational water flows through macropores greater than 50 micrometer. Macropores hold air. In good soils,their number is 20 percent. Micropores are capillary pores with diameter of less than 20 micrometer. They hold capillary water. Good soil contain 30 percent microspores. Solubility and availability of plant nutrients depends on porosity because if the pore size is more water will wash away all the nutrients to water table as gravitational water and if porosity is less there will not be any air, respiration of roots and hence, absorption of nutrients will suffer.

Multiple choice evs let's plant trees damaging the forests deforestation and afforestation protecting our environment pollution of soil degradation of land

Which of the following provides nutrients to the seedlings to grow in forests?

  1. Bacteria

  2. Fungi

  3. Decaying animal dung

  4. Beetles and grubs
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Animals living in the forest include herbivores and carnivores. The dung of these animals are decomposed by insects living in the soil. This contributes to the fertility of the soil by adding organic matter and nutrients, such as nitrogen, that is trapped by bacteria in the soil. This provides nutrients to the seedlings to grow in forests. Thus the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice evs let's plant trees damaging the forests deforestation and afforestation protecting our environment pollution of soil degradation of land

The easiest way to improved the denuded forests of teak in India in to.

  1. Apply mycorrhiza

  2. Apply fertilizer

  3. Add bacterial culture

  4. Use green algae
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mycorrhiza are symbiotic fungi that associate with plant roots, significantly improving nutrient uptake (especially phosphorus) and water absorption, which helps in the growth and survival of teak in denuded areas.

Multiple choice general knowledge the soil soil erosion (geo) soil erosion, soil conservation and uses of soil soil erosion and conservation

As organic matter decomposes, it releases nutrients and organic acids. These acids known as _______ attack clays and rock, releasing iron and aluminium.

  1. humification agents

  2. chelating agents

  3. leaching agents

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

Chelating agents are organic compounds that can bind to metal ions, such as iron and aluminum, facilitating their mobilization and transport in the soil profile.

Multiple choice evs - i the soil soil erosion (geo) soil erosion, soil conservation and uses of soil soil erosion and conservation sustainability of natural resources adaptations - mangrove swamps, fast flowing rivers and treetops halophiles

Eroded soils are

  1. Devoid of plant nutrients

  2. Richer in plant nutrients

  3. Unaltered in plant nutrients

  4. Fit for agriculture
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Soil erosion is the removal of top soil by the agency of water (water erosion) and wind (wind erosion). Soil erosion is of two types, natural and anthropogenic. 

Natural or geological erosion is extremely slow removal of top soil due to rain water or wind. 
Anthropogenic soil erosion is caused by removal of plant cover through over grazing, litter collection, tree felling, leaving the soil unprotected during agricultural operations. 
Top soil is rich in organic and mineral nutrients. If top soil is removed the productivity of land is reduced.
So, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice biology the soil soil erosion (geo) soil erosion, soil conservation and uses of soil soil erosion and conservation

Eroded soils are

  1. Devoid of plant nutrients

  2. Richer in plant nutrients

  3. Unaltered in plant nutrients

  4. Fit for agriculture
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Soil erosion is the removal of top soil, top soil has all the nutrients necessary for plant growth. Eroded soil is low on fertility

So, the correct answer is 'Devoid of plant nutrients'

Multiple choice evs - i issues of the environment eco-system and its destruction ecology and ecosystem ecology and ecosysytem

Which of the following is an abiotic component?

  1. Plants

  2. Animals

  3. Soil

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

The correct answer is 'soil'

The biosphere consists of two components-biotic and abiotic component. Biotic components are the living things while non-living things make up the abiotic component. Plants, animals and microbes being living make up the abiotic component whereas soil being non-living is a part of an abiotic sphere.

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

Which of the following statements is incorrect?

  1. Biofertilizers are used to maintain and improve soil fertility.

  2. Chemical fertilizers pollute soil and water resources.

  3. Chemical fertilizers are expensive.

  4. Most pesticide used these days are specific in nature.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Pesticides are chemicals used to eliminate or control a variety of agricultural pests that can damage crops and livestock and reduce farm productivity. The most commonly applied pesticides are insecticides (to kill insects), herbicides (to kill weeds), rodenticides (to kill rodents) and fungicides (to control fungi, mold, and mildew). Most pesticide used these days are not specific in nature. One pesticide can act on more than one type of pest. 

A biofertilizer (also bio-fertilizer) is a substance, which contains living microorganisms which, when applied to seed, plant surfaces or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. Biofertilizers are used to maintain and improve soil fertility. 
Chemical fertilizers pollute soil and water resources and also they are expensive. 
Thus, the correct answer is option D.

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

Which one of the following statements is correct?

  1. At present, it is not possible to grow maize without chemical fertilizers.

  2. Extensive use of chemical fertilizers may lead to eutrophication of nearby water bodies.

  3. Both, Azotobacter and Rhizobium fix atmospheric nitrogen in root nodules of plants.

  4. Cyanobacteria such as Anabaena and Nostoc are important mobilizers of phosphates and potassium for plant nutrition in soil.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
Eutrophication occurs when a lake gets too many nutrients, causing blue-green algae growth. Eventually, the growth peaks and crashes as oxygen is consumed faster than it can be replenished, a condition called as eutrophication. Extensive use of chemical fertilizers leads to eutrophication of nearby water bodies. 
Thus, the correct answer is option B.
Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

The soil pollutants that affect the food chain and food web by killing microorganisms and plants are

  1. Nitrogen oxides

  2. Pathogens

  3. Pesticides

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

Pesticides are the chemical compounds which are used for the elimination of the harmful pests and insects. When the pesticides are used in excess, it results in the degradation of the soil and water quality. These are non-biodegradable compounds which enter the food chain and the concentration increases with the increase in the trophic level. The pesticides accumulation in the tissues causes toxicity in the organisms and leads to death. 

Thus, the correct answer is option C.