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 evs soil : our life soil profile soil- our life soil and crops

Deep black soils are considered highly productive because of their high proportion of

  1. Clay and Humus

  2. Sand and Zinc

  3. Gravel and Calcium

  4. Silt and Earthworm
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Deep black soil has a high proportion of clay and humus and high retentivity of moisture and thus are very productive for cultivation of important crops like cotton, wheat, jowar, linseed, castor, sunflower, millets, rice and sugarcane.

So, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice evs soil : our life soil profile soil- our life soil and crops

Colour of black soil is due to

  1. Iron, Aluminium, Humus content

  2. Presence of zinc, Sulphur, Potassium content

  3. Litter content

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Black soil is the fertile soil present in India. It is abundantly found in Haryana, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The black colour of the soil is due to the presence of iron, aluminium and humus. This type of soil is most suitable for the cultivation of grains, vegetables and cotton.

Multiple choice evs soil : our life soil profile soil- our life soil and crops

......... is a mixture of loamy and yellow soils.

  1. Red soil

  2. Black soil

  3. Alluvial soil

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

Red soil is a mixture of loamy and yellow soils. Its red colour is due to the presence of abundant iron oxide. About two-thirds of Tamil Nadu has Red soil.It is suitable for the cultivation of tobacco, vegetables and paddy. Black soil is the fertile soil present in India. It is abundantly found in Haryana, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The black colour of the soil is due to the presence of iron, aluminium and humus. This type of soil is most suitable for the cultivation of grains, vegetables and cotton

Multiple choice evs soil : our life soil profile soil- our life soil and crops

Alluvial soil is formed 

  1. By the weathering of rocks

  2. By humus break down

  3. Mineral deposition

  4. Deposition of certain substances by rivers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Alluvial soil is primarily formed by the deposition of sediments, such as silt and sand, carried by rivers during flooding events.

Multiple choice evs soil : our life soil profile soil- our life soil and crops

Mark the correct statement about desert soil.

  1. This soil is rich in phosphates but deficient in nitrogen.

  2. It is suitable for the cultivation of drought-resistant crops.

  3. Desert soil is found in the north-western parts of India.

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Desert soil is typically found in arid regions like north-western India, is generally rich in phosphates but poor in nitrogen and organic matter, and supports specific drought-resistant vegetation.

Multiple choice evs soil : our life soil profile soil- our life soil and crops

The least porous soil among the following is 

  1. Loamy soil

  2. Silty soil

  3. Clay soil

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

This is a duplicate of question 434724. Clay has the smallest particles and smallest pore spaces, making it least porous. The answer and reasoning are identical - fine clay particles pack tightly with minimal air spaces.

Multiple choice evs soil : our life soil profile soil- our life soil and crops

Soil formed after leaching and rich in Al and Fe is

  1. Alluvial

  2. Podosol

  3. Laterite

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

Laterites are formed by leaching of parent sedimentary rocks. They  are rich in Al and Fe and are found in wet and hot tropical areas. The color of the soil is rusty red due to high Fe content.

So, the correct answer is 'Laterite'

Multiple choice evs soil : our life soil profile soil- our life soil and crops

Soil suitable for cultivation of tobacco, vegetables and paddy

  1. Black soil

  2. Red soil

  3. Alluvial soil

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Red soil is a mixture of loamey and yellow soils. It is suitable for the cultivation of tobacco, vegetables and paddy.

Multiple choice evs soil : our life soil profile soil- our life soil and crops

Deep black soil is considered to be highly productive due to high proportion of

  1. Silt and earthworm

  2. Clay and humus
  3. Gravel and Ca$^{2+}$
  4. Sand and Zn$^{2+}$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Black soil is dark brown or black colour soil. The black colour is due to organic matter and clay content. Such soils are compact with good hydration, but little aeration; chemically they are very fertile, because of rich mineral content. Rich mineral content of black soils is due to clay, which adsorbs minerals on its surface. Clay and humus produce colloidal complex for holding water and ions and forming soil crumbs.

Multiple choice evs soil : our life soil profile soil- our life soil and crops

Deep black soil is considered to be highly productive due to high proportion of


  1. Silt and earthworm

  2. Clay and humus

  3. Gravel and Ca++

  4. Sand and Zn
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

(b) Black soil predominantly with clay and humus. This soil is very fertile because most of minerals are present in it. 

Multiple choice evs soil : our life soil profile soil- our life soil and crops

Deep black soil is productive, due to high proportion of

  1. Sand and Zinc

  2. Gravel and Calcium

  3. Clay and Humus

  4. Silt and Earthworm
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Black soil (Regur) is highly productive due to its high clay content, which retains moisture, and its richness in organic matter (humus) and minerals.

Multiple choice evs soil : our life soil profile soil- our life soil and crops

Soil rich in Fe and Al is due to excessive leaching is

  1. Alluvial

  2. Laterite

  3. Loam

  4. Both A and B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Laterite soil is formed in tropical regions with high rainfall, where intense leaching removes silica and leaves behind iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) oxides.

Multiple choice evs soil : our life soil profile soil- our life soil and crops

Which of the following is not correctly matched?

  1. Laterite- Contains aluminium

  2. Terra Rosa- Most suitable for roses

  3. Chernozem- Richest soil

  4. Black Cotton soil- Rich in calcium carbonate
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Laterite is a soil and rock type rich in iron oxide. It is reddish in colour. 

Terra rossa is a well-drained, red soil with neutral pH. It is seen in the Mediterranean region. It contains sand, silt clay and organic material. It is most suitable for roses. 
Chernozem is a black colour soil having a high percentage of humus. It also contains a high percentage of phosphoric acids, phosphorus and ammonia. This makes it the richest soil and is highly fertile.
Black cotton soil is formed by lava basaltic rocks. It is very dark in colour. It is rich in calcium and magnesium carbonate. 
Thus, the correct answer is 'Laterite - Contains aluminium.'