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 type of soil does the shaded portion in the map depict?

  1. Laterite

  2. Brown

  3. Alluvial

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

The shaded portion shows laterite soils. Laterite soils are commonly found in different parts of India including the Eastern Ghats, Rajmahal Hills,Western Ghats, Maharashtra, Kerala, Orissa, etc.

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 generally red due to iron oxides (1). They are poor in nitrogen and potash (making statement 2 incorrect). They are found in tropical regions with high rainfall, not primarily Rajasthan/UP (making statement 3 incorrect). Tapioca and cashews are common crops in laterite soil (4).

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 dominant zonal soil type in the Peninsular region of India. They are formed by the weathering of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks.

Multiple choice geography india - agriculture cropping seasons in india farming in india

The soil which is highly suitable for dry farming is _________.

  1. Desert soil

  2. Red soil

  3. Black soil

  4. Alluvial soil
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Black Soil
Black Soil are characterized by their deep black colour. Their composition has a large amount of clay. This helps the black soil retain water, making them ideal for crops that require water year round. This also gives them a unique self-ploughing ability.

These soil are rich in lime, iron and magnesia. They are mainly found in the Deccan Plateau in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat etc. They are also known as Black Cotton Soil, since cotton grows exclusively in black soil, and is one of the main cash crops in India.
Multiple choice penamakuru - a village in the krishna delta (part - b) penamakuru village social science

The alluvial soil of the Andhra Pradesh is also called ________________.

  1. nalla regadi bhumi

  2. isuka bhumi

  3. ondru bhumi

  4. none of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The alluvial soil of the Andhra Pradesh is also called Ondru bhumi.

 alluvial soil - a fine-grained fertile soil deposited by water flowing over flood plains or in river beds. alluvial deposit, alluvial sediment, alluvium, alluvion - clay or silt or gravel carried by rushing streams and deposited where the stream slows down.

Multiple choice penamakuru - a village in the krishna delta (part - b) penamakuru village social science

What type of soils are mostly found in the Penamakuru village?

  1. Loamy soil

  2. Laterite soil

  3. Alluvial soil

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

Alluvial soil are mostly found in the Penamakuru village.

Penamakuru is a village located in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Bharatha Yuvajana Sangham, a youth welfare organisation, conduct the Games Meet to mark Sankranti in January to prevent illegal activities such as gambling and cock fights, in Penamakuru village of Thotlavalluru mandal in Krishna District.

Multiple choice penamakuru - a village in the krishna delta (part - b) penamakuru village social science

The fruit trees can also grow well in ______________.

  1. black soil

  2. loamy soil

  3. clay soil

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

The fruit trees can also grow well in Sandy soil.
Sandy soil is also known as “Light soil”. Generally, sandy soil is composed of- 35% sand and less than 15% silt and clay. Primarily sand is the small pieces of eroded rocks with a gritty texture. In sandy soil, most of the soil particulars are bigger than 2mm in diameter.

Multiple choice evs soil- our life horizons of soil soil - formation and profile soil-nature

Soil contains 

  1. Air and water

  2. Water and plants

  3. Minerals, organic matter, air and water

  4. Water, air and plants
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Soil is one of the most important abiotic resources of the environment. It provides habitat to a vast number of living organisms. It holds the roots of plants and trees. It provides the necessary nutrients to the plants when their roots absorb water from the soil, along with minerals and organic matter present in the form of humus in the soil. Soil also has spaces between its particles, providing space for air and water to percolate into it. So, the soil is a mixture of minerals, organic matter, air, and water.

So, option C "Minerals, organic matter, air and water" is the correct answer.