Environmental Studies · Geography

Soil Science

1,499 Questions

Soil Science examines the formation, classification, and properties of soil as a critical natural resource. This hub offers practice questions covering soil horizons, soil types like laterite and black soil, and regional soil characteristics. The content is highly useful for agriculture exams and civil services preparation.

Soil typesSoil horizonsSoil formation factorsAgricultural soil requirementsIndian soilsForest and mountain soils

Soil Science Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false?

a. Soil having particles of only one particular size is not fertile. b. Sandy soil is highly porous and does not hold much water. c. Xerophytic plants that grow in loamy soils serve as wind breakers and also help in binding the soil.

  1. Only c

  2. Both a and b

  3. Only a

  4. Both b and c

  5. Only b
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Only statement c is false. Xerophytic plants like cacti that grow in sandy soil serve as wind breakers and also help in binding the soil. Only statement c is false. Sandy soil is highly porous and does not hold much water.

Multiple choice

Match the following:

a. Weathering 1. Vertical section of the soil to show different layers of soil
b. Soil profile 2. Relative proportion of different sized particles in the soil
c. Soil texture 3. Process of soil formation that involves disintegration of large pieces of rocky material into fine particles

  1. a - 3, b - 2, c - 1

  2. a - 3, b - 1, c - 2

  3. a - 2, b - 1, c - 3

  4. a - 1, b - 2, c - 3

  5. a - 2, b - 3, c - 1
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option.  Soil profile is vertical section of the soil to show different layers of soil. Weathering is the process of soil formation that involves disintegration of large pieces of rocky material into fine particles. Soil texture is the relative proportion of different sized particles in the soil.

Multiple choice

Match the following ||| |---|---| |1. Loamy soil|a. Soil having high percentage (70-80%) of bigger particles like sand particles| |2. Clayey soil|b. Soil having mixture of big and fine particles| |3. Sandy soil|c. Soil having high percentage of fine particles like clay particles and very less sand|

  1. 1 - b, 2 - c, 3 - a

  2. 1 - b, 2 - a, 3 - c

  3. 1 - a, 2 - c, 3 - b

  4. 1 - a, 2 - b, 3 - c

  5. 1 - c, 2 - b, 3 - a
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option.1. Loamy soil b. Soil having mixture of big and fine particles

  1. Clayey soil c. Soil having high percentage of fine particles like clay particles and very less sand
  2. Sandy soil a. Soil having high percentage (70-80%) of bigger particles like sand particles
Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false? a. The greater the humus in the soil, the the more fertile is the soil. b. Clayey soils are heavy soils and is thus not able to support plant growth. c. Loamy soils contain enough air due to the presence of some large particles.

  1. Only a

  2. a and b

  3. Only b

  4. a and c

  5. Only c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Clayey soils are heavy soils and is thus not able to support plant growth, is a false statement. Thus, this is the correct option.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements regarding laterite soils of India are correct?

  1. Laterites are generally red in colours
  2. Laterites are rich in nitrogen and potash.
  3. These are well-developed in Rajasthan and U.P.
  4. Tapioca and cashewnuts grow well on this soil. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

  1. 1, 2 and 3

  2. 2, 3 and 4

  3. 1 and 4

  4. 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Laterite soils are red due to iron oxides and are suitable for crops like cashew and tapioca. However, they are generally poor in nitrogen and potash and are found in high-rainfall areas like the Western Ghats, not in arid Rajasthan or the alluvial plains of U.P.

Multiple choice

The zonal soil type of Peninsular India belongs to

  1. Red Soils

  2. Yellow Soils

  3. Black soils

  4. Other Alluvium

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Red soils are the most widespread zonal soil type across the Peninsular plateau of India, covering large areas of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. While Black soil (Regur) is famous in the Deccan, Red soil has a larger overall areal extent in the peninsula.

Multiple choice

Chemical weathering is the most predominant in

  1. arid region

  2. semi-arid region

  3. humid tropical region

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

Chemical weathering is most effective in humid tropical regions because high temperatures and abundant moisture accelerate chemical reactions like hydrolysis, oxidation, and carbonation. In contrast, arid regions favor physical weathering.

Multiple choice

Alluvial con is predominant in

  1. coastal belt

  2. piedmont zone

  3. delta region

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

Alluvial cones (or fans) are formed when a stream leaves a narrow mountain canyon and enters a broad valley or plain, depositing its load due to the sudden decrease in velocity. This transition zone at the foot of a mountain is called the piedmont zone.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is azonal soil?

  1. Sierozem

  2. Podsol

  3. Lithosol

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

Azonal soils are young soils that have not had enough time or stable conditions to develop distinct horizons. Lithosols, which are thin and stony soils found on steep slopes, are a primary example of azonal soils.