Environmental Studies ยท 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 type of soil is rich in loam and clay?

  1. Red soil

  2. Mountain soil

  3. Black soil

  4. Alluvial soil

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

Alluvial soil is highly fertile and is typically composed of a mix of loam, silt, and clay, deposited by rivers.

Multiple choice

Which soil is made up mainly of clay?

  1. Mountain soil

  2. Black soil

  3. Desert soil

  4. Red soil

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

Black soil, also known as regur soil, is characterized by a high clay content, which gives it excellent moisture-retention properties. Other soil types like mountain or desert soils have different primary compositions.

Multiple choice

Sub soil is also called __________.

  1. A horizon

  2. B horizon

  3. C horizon

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

Soil profiles are divided into horizons. The A horizon is topsoil, and the B horizon is known as the subsoil.

Multiple choice

Black soil is found in _________.

  1. Himachal Pradesh

  2. Rajasthan

  3. Uttar Pradesh

  4. Maharashtra
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Black soil, also known as regur soil, is widely found in the Deccan Plateau region, including large parts of Maharashtra.

Multiple choice

Mountain soil is rich in _____________.

  1. mineral deposit

  2. weathered parent rock

  3. humus

  4. good crumb structure
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Mountain soil is generally formed by the mechanical weathering of rocks and is rich in humus due to the accumulation of organic matter from forest vegetation.

Multiple choice

The plants that grow in saline soils are called

  1. halophytes

  2. psammophytes

  3. hydrophytes

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

Halophytes are plants that are adapted to grow in environments with high salinity, such as salt marshes or coastal areas.

Multiple choice

The soil best suited for cotton cultivation is

  1. red soil

  2. laterite soil

  3. black soil

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

Black soil, also known as Regur soil, is ideal for cotton cultivation because it has high moisture-retention capacity and is rich in nutrients like calcium carbonate, magnesium, and potash.

Multiple choice

Peaty soil is found in?

  1. Assam

  2. Kerala

  3. Gujarat

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

Peaty soils are rich in organic matter and are typically found in areas with high rainfall and humidity, such as the coastal regions of Kerala.

Multiple choice

Composition of laterite soil in higher areas is

  1. basic

  2. salty

  3. acidic

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

Laterite soil is formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall, which leads to the leaching of silica and bases, resulting in an acidic composition.

Multiple choice

In which condition, roller is used ?

  1. Where soil is wet

  2. Where clods are present in soil

  3. Where soil is friable

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

Rollers are used to crush clods and compact the soil. Since none of the specific conditions listed (wet, clods, friable) are the exclusive or only condition for use, 'None of the above' is the most technically correct answer.