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 geography mineral resources in rajasthan climate and season cycle climate, soil, natural vegetation and animals of rajasthan study of rocks and soil formation position of rajasthan in indian economy

Saline sodic soils that are found in Pachpadra, Sambhar, Ranns of Jalore of Rajasthan are also called as _________.

  1. Solonchaks

  2. Lithosol

  3. Sandy soil

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

Saline sodic soils that are found in Pachpadra, Sambhar, Ranns of Jalore of Rajasthan are also called as Solonchaks. Colour of this soil is dark grey to pale brown. Water table is sometime close to surface. Cultivation is not possible due to the impeded drainage and high degree of salinity. The only vegetation consists of some salt tolerant grasses and shrubs.

Multiple choice geography mineral resources in rajasthan climate and season cycle climate, soil, natural vegetation and animals of rajasthan study of rocks and soil formation position of rajasthan in indian economy

The important climatic component/s that determine the formation of soil includes ________.

  1. Temperature

  2. Rainfall

  3. Both A and B

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

Formation of soil is called pedogenesis. Soil formation is the process of soil formation from its parental material. In most of the cases colouration, mineral composition and texture of the soil is determined by its parental material. In addition to the soil parent material, soil formation is also dependent upon other prevailing processes like climate mainly temperature and rainfall.

Multiple choice geography mineral resources in rajasthan climate and season cycle climate, soil, natural vegetation and animals of rajasthan study of rocks and soil formation position of rajasthan in indian economy

In most of the cases colouration, mineral composition and texture of the soil is determined by ___________.

  1. Relief

  2. Climate

  3. Natural vegetation

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

Formation of soil is called pedogenesis. Soil formation is nothing but the process of soil formation from its parental material. In most of the cases colouration, mineral composition and texture of the soil is determined by its parental material. In addition to the soil parent material, soil formation is also dependent upon other prevailing processes like Climate, Relief etc.

Multiple choice geography punjab along the plains northern plains northern plains of india

Generally, the soil of the northern plains of India has been formed by ________.

  1. Aggradation

  2. Degradation

  3. Erosion

  4. Weathering in situ
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is (b)Aggradation

Aggradation is the process in which the soil is formed by the deposition of sediments on river banks.
While degradation absolutely different because it means decrease in level of land did to erosion.It is absolutely the reverse of aggredation.
Aggradation also happens due to volcanic eruptions etc.
Therefore in India,The soil of Northern plains is formed due to aggravation.
Multiple choice geography punjab along the plains northern plains northern plains of india

The soil in the delta region is ___________.

  1. Black soil

  2. Red soil

  3. Alluvial soil

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

  • Delta region is formed by deposition of sediments carried by rivers. In such regions alluvial soil is mostly formed.
  • Alluvium is a loose soil or sediments which are formed by erosion by rainwater. It is typically made of small particles of silt and clay and larger particles of sand and gravel.

Multiple choice geography punjab along the plains northern plains northern plains of india

The northern plain is formed of _____ soil.

  1. red

  2. alluvial

  3. loamy

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

The Northern Plain was formed by the interplay of the three major river systems, namely– the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra along with their tributaries. It is composed of alluvial soil which has been deposited over millions of years, it is about 2400 km long and about 240 to 320 km broad. 

Multiple choice commercial studies striving for a better environment soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Soil salinization is common in semi-arid region because

  1. Soil erosion occurs very frequently

  2. Leaching is not adequate

  3. Dense microbial flora

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
Soil salinization is the process of increasing the salt content in the soil. It is common in semi-arid regions because of inadequate leaching which leads to accumulation of salt below the root zone leading to salinization.
So, the correct answer is option B.
Multiple choice commercial studies striving for a better environment soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Alluvial soils are mostly found in which region?

  1. Eastern Ghats

  2. Southern India

  3. Upper Gangetic plains

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

There is no alluvial basin in the world, which can compare with the Ganga Basin in terms of size, fertility, acreage and topography. It is the most densely populated river basin in the world and is often characterized as a granary or the bread basket of India. 

Alluvial soil is poor in organic matter deficient in nitrogen, rich in potassium and lime. They are formed by weathering of rocks and brought by river and wind. It is characteristic of Indogangetic plains.

Multiple choice commercial studies striving for a better environment soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Terracing helps in soil conservation in

  1. Plains

  2. Deserts

  3. Hilly areas

  4. Wet areas
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
  • In agriculture, a terrace is a piece of sloped plane that has been cut into a series of successively receding flat surfaces or platforms, which resemble steps, for the purposes of more effective farming. This type of landscaping is therefore called terracing.
  • Terracing reduces both the amount and velocity of water moving across the soil surface in hilly areas, which greatly reduces soil erosion.
  • Hence Terracing helps in soil conservation in hilly areas.
  • So, the correct answer is 'Hilly areas'.
Multiple choice geography external forces - responsible for changes the soil soil erosion (geo) soil erosion, soil conservation and uses of soil

Terracing helps soil conservation in ___________.

  1. Plains

  2. Deserts

  3. Hilly areas

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

A terrace in agriculture is a piece of sloped plane that has been cut into a series of successively receding flat surfaces or platforms, which resemble steps, for the purposes of more effective farming. This method is called terracing. It is very useful in soil conservation in hilly or mountain areas.

Multiple choice geography external forces - responsible for changes the soil soil erosion (geo) soil erosion, soil conservation and uses of soil

The soil formed due to hydration is _______.

  1. Alluvial

  2. Yellow

  3. Laterite

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

Red soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks in areas of low rainfall in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan plateau. Yellow and red soils are also found in parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, southern parts of the middle Ganga plain and along the piedmont zone of the Western Ghats. These soils develop a reddish colour due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form.

Multiple choice geography external forces - responsible for changes the soil soil erosion (geo) soil erosion, soil conservation and uses of soil

The factor which provides the maturity to the soil is the ___________.

  1. Parent rock

  2. Time

  3. Slope

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

Natural vegetation reflects the combined effects of relief and climate. The formation and development of soil is very much influenced by the growth of vegetation. The decayed leaf material adds much needed humus to soil thereby increasing its fertility.

Multiple choice geography external forces - responsible for changes the soil soil erosion (geo) soil erosion, soil conservation and uses of soil

Which soil is formed by weathering of the solidified lava?

  1. Red

  2. Laterite

  3. Alluvial

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

Black soils are black in colour and are also known as regur soils. Black soil is ideal for growing cotton and is also known as black cotton soil. It is believed that climatic condition along with the parent rock material are the important factors for the formation of black soil. This type of soil is typical of the Deccan trap (Basalt) region spread over northwest Deccan plateau and is made up of lava flows. They cover the plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra.

Multiple choice geography external forces - responsible for changes the soil soil erosion (geo) soil erosion, soil conservation and uses of soil

Which one of the following soils is formed by capillary action?

  1. Regur -black cotton soil

  2. Grey and brown soil

  3. Red and black soil

  4. Saline and alkaline
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
Saline and alkaline soils are also known as Usara soils. Various local names for saline soils are Reh, Kallar, and Chopan, Rakar, Thur, Karl etc. These soils have developed in areas with dry climatic conditions (in areas having a little more rainfall than the areas of desert soils) accompanied by lack of proper drainage. In this situation, salts of sodium, calcium and magnesium are deposited on the upper layer of the soil by capillary action.
Multiple choice geography external forces - responsible for changes the soil soil erosion (geo) soil erosion, soil conservation and uses of soil

Which type of soil develops due to high temperature and evaporation?

  1. Pair Soil

  2. Land Soil

  3. Arid Soil

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

Arid soils develop due to high temperature and evaporation.

Most desert soils are called Aridisols (dry soil). These are porous sandy soils with low nitrogenous matter and humus.