Environmental Studies · Geography

Soil Science

1,537 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 agriculture in india - iii : cash crops cash crops plantation of crops cash crops of india agricultural seasons and crops

Fill in the blanks
For growing cotton ________ soil is ideal.

  1. Black

  2. Red

  3. Laterite

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

The soils are generally rich in montmorillonitic and beidellitic group of clay minerals. Black soils are most suitable for the cotton crop hence it is also known as black cotton soil. Besides cotton, the soil is suitable for the cultivation of crops like wheat, groundnut, chillies, tobacco and jowar.

Multiple choice geography agriculture in india - iii : cash crops cash crops plantation of crops cash crops of india

For the cultivation of sugarcane ________ soil is suitable.

  1. Black

  2. Red

  3. Laterite

  4. Sandy, loamy and red soil
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Maintenance of proper physical, chemical and biological conditions of the soil is necessary for realizing higher growth, yield and quality of sugarcane. Sugarcane does not require any specific type of soil as it can be successfully raised on diverse soil types ranging from sandy soils to clay loams & heavy clays.

Multiple choice geography agriculture in india - iii : cash crops cash crops plantation of crops cash crops of india agricultural seasons and crops

_______ Soil is suitable for the cultivation of cotton.

  1. Alluvial

  2. Laterite

  3. Terai

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

Regur is a type of Black soil.
The soils are generally rich in montmorillonitic and beidellitic group of clay minerals. Black soils are most suitable for the cotton crop hence it is also known as black cotton soil. Besides cotton, the soil is suitable for the cultivation of crops like wheat, groundnut, chillies, tobacco and jowar

Multiple choice geography agriculture in india - iii : cash crops cash crops plantation of crops cash crops of india agricultural seasons and crops

Which one of the following soils is most suitable for the cultivation of cotton in India?

  1. Red soil

  2. Laterite soil

  3. Alluvial soil

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

India is the third-largest producer of cotton in the world. Cotton grows well in drier parts of the black cotton soil of the Deccan plateau. 

Multiple choice geography agriculture in india - iii : cash crops cash crops plantation of crops cash crops of india agricultural seasons and crops

For the cultivation of cotton ______ is suitable.

  1. Alluvial soil

  2. Laterite soil

  3. Black soil

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

The soils are generally rich in montmorillonitic and beidellitic group of clay minerals. Black soils are most suitable for the cotton crop hence it is also known as black cotton soil. Besides cotton, the soil is suitable for the cultivation of crops like wheat, groundnut, chillies, tobacco and jowar.

Multiple choice geography agriculture in india - iii : cash crops cash crops plantation of crops cash crops of india agricultural seasons and crops

Which soils are best suited for cotton crop?

  1. Black

  2. Alluvial

  3. Both A & B

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

Soil is the topmost layer of the earth's surface. Each type of soil benefits the plant in different ways. Alluvial soil is rich in potassium. Black soil is rich in calcium, potassium and magnesium. Black soil is best suited for the cotton crops. 

Multiple choice geography agriculture in india - iii : cash crops cash crops plantation of crops cash crops of india agricultural seasons and crops

Which type of soil is ideal for the cultivation of jute?

  1. Black soil

  2. Red soil

  3. Alluvial soil

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

Jute is a native plant of India. It is known as golden fibre. It needs hot and humid climate with average rainfall and temperature. It grows well in alluvial soil regions as it is the most fertile soil. 

Multiple choice geography agriculture in india - iii : cash crops cash crops plantation of crops cash crops of india

What kind of soil is required for sugarcane crop production?

  1. Sandy soil

  2. Laterite and rocky soil

  3. Deep, well-drained fertile soil

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

Sugarcane is a long duration crop. It can grow in almost any kind of soil that can retain moisture. It requires deep rich loamy soil for growth. Soil must be rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium. It should neither be too acidic nor too basic. Sugarcane exhausts the fertility of the soil quickly. 

Multiple choice biology living in harmony climate factors abiotic components organisms and environment

Soil is affected by

  1. Wind

  2. Rainfall, temperature

  3. Light and humidity

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

The flow of wind and its rate affects the rate of soil erosion. Rainfall governs the amount of groundwater available to the soil. Temperature also affects the constitution of soil. The amount of sunlight and humidity in the air also affect the type of soil and characteristics of soil particles. 

So, option D is the correct answer.

Multiple choice biology living in harmony climate factors abiotic components organisms and environment

Water logged soils are generally 

  1. Physiologically dry

  2. Physiologically wet

  3. With great amount of water

  4. With less amount of water
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

If all the air spaces of soil are filled with water, the condition is known as water logging of soil. Such soils are physiologically dry soils. 

Therefore, the correct answer is option A

Multiple choice evs - i rules are for everyone sustainability of natural resources adaptations - mangrove swamps, fast flowing rivers and treetops halophiles

The soil near the surface is usually darker than about one meter down, this is because the top soil

  1. Is richer in Ca and Mg

  2. Contains more organic matter

  3. Is wetter than the sub soil

  4. Is drier than the sub soil
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The uppermost layer of soil is usually darker in colour due to the presence of huge amount of organic matter. Organic matter is composed of roots, dead leaves, insects, small organisms and animals which eventually get degraded to form humus and make the soil fertile. Humus is black in colour due to large quantity of carbon.

Multiple choice indian land resources land resources of karnataka land utilisation, its pattern and crops of karnataka geography

Mixed black, _____ and _____ soil are suitable for the production of jowar.

  1. Red, alluvial

  2. Laterite, alluvial

  3. Sandy, alluvial

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

Jowar thrives in various soil types, but it is particularly well-suited to mixed black, red, and alluvial soils, which are common in the regions where it is cultivated in Karnataka.

Multiple choice indian land resources land resources of karnataka land utilisation, its pattern and crops of karnataka geography

Sandy loamy soil and _____ are suitable for the cultivation of sugarcane.

  1. Black soil

  2. Red soil

  3. Laterite soil

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

Sugarcane grows best in deep, rich, alluvial soil or well-drained loamy soils that can retain adequate moisture. Alluvial soils provide the high fertility and balanced texture required for high crop yields. Other soil types, like laterite or pure red soils, generally lack the requisite nutrient retention and moisture capacity.

Multiple choice geography agriculture in india - iii : cash crops agricultural seasons and crops cash crops plantation of crops

Which of the following soils is suitable for cultivation of tea?

  1. Red soil

  2. Black soil

  3. Alluvial soil

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

Laterite soil

Tea is grown in a variety of soils. The best, however, is a light friable loam with porous sub-soil which permits a free percolation of water, for tea is highly intol­erant to stagnant water. In general the most suitable soils are slightly acidic and without calcium.
The presence of iron in sub-soil is desirable. On the sloping land which is most suitable for tea, soil erosion is often a problem. This is combated by planting tea bushes in lines along the contours.