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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 of the following is not a type of soil?

  1. Sandy soil

  2. Clay soil

  3. Loam soil

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

Peat soil is not a type of soil, but rather a type of organic matter that is found in wetlands.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a type of soil horizon?

  1. O horizon

  2. A horizon

  3. B horizon

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

There is no D horizon in soil.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a type of soil texture?

  1. Sandy

  2. Clayey

  3. Loamy

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

Stony is not a type of soil texture.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a type of soil structure?

  1. Granular

  2. Blocky

  3. Prismatic

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

Laminar is not a type of soil structure.

Multiple choice

Which soil classification system is widely used in India?

  1. USDA Soil Taxonomy

  2. Soil Taxonomy of India

  3. FAO Soil Classification System

  4. World Reference Base for Soil Resources
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Soil Taxonomy of India is the primary soil classification system used in the country. It is based on the USDA Soil Taxonomy system, but with modifications to suit Indian conditions.

Multiple choice

What is the basic unit of soil classification in the Soil Taxonomy of India?

  1. Soil Series

  2. Soil Type

  3. Soil Phase

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

The basic unit of soil classification in the Soil Taxonomy of India is the soil series. A soil series is a group of soils that have similar characteristics in terms of texture, structure, mineralogy, and drainage.

Multiple choice

How many soil orders are recognized in the Soil Taxonomy of India?

  1. 10

  2. 12

  3. 15

  4. 18
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

There are 12 soil orders recognized in the Soil Taxonomy of India. These are: Entisols, Inceptisols, Vertisols, Aridisols, Mollisols, Spodosols, Alfisols, Ultisols, Oxisols, Histosols, Andisols, and Gelisols.

Multiple choice

Which soil order is characterized by the presence of a thick, dark-colored surface horizon rich in organic matter?

  1. Entisols

  2. Inceptisols

  3. Mollisols

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

Mollisols are characterized by the presence of a thick, dark-colored surface horizon rich in organic matter. These soils are typically found in grasslands and prairies.

Multiple choice

Which soil order is characterized by the presence of a hardpan layer that restricts root penetration?

  1. Aridisols

  2. Vertisols

  3. Ultisols

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

Aridisols are characterized by the presence of a hardpan layer that restricts root penetration. These soils are typically found in dry climates.

Multiple choice

Which soil order is characterized by the presence of a spodic horizon, which is a layer of accumulation of organic matter and aluminum?

  1. Alfisols

  2. Ultisols

  3. Oxisols

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

Spodosols are characterized by the presence of a spodic horizon, which is a layer of accumulation of organic matter and aluminum. These soils are typically found in forested areas.

Multiple choice

Which soil order is characterized by the presence of a clay-rich subsoil that is sticky and plastic when wet and hard when dry?

  1. Vertisols

  2. Alfisols

  3. Ultisols

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

Vertisols are characterized by the presence of a clay-rich subsoil that is sticky and plastic when wet and hard when dry. These soils are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions.

Multiple choice

Which soil order is characterized by the presence of a lateritic horizon, which is a layer of accumulation of iron and aluminum oxides?

  1. Alfisols

  2. Ultisols

  3. Oxisols

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

Oxisols are characterized by the presence of a lateritic horizon, which is a layer of accumulation of iron and aluminum oxides. These soils are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions.

Multiple choice

Which soil order is characterized by the presence of a histic horizon, which is a layer of accumulation of organic matter?

  1. Histosols

  2. Andisols

  3. Gelisols

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

Histosols are characterized by the presence of a histic horizon, which is a layer of accumulation of organic matter. These soils are typically found in wetlands.

Multiple choice

Which soil order is characterized by the presence of an andic horizon, which is a layer of accumulation of volcanic ash?

  1. Andisols

  2. Gelisols

  3. Spodosols

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

Andisols are characterized by the presence of an andic horizon, which is a layer of accumulation of volcanic ash. These soils are typically found in areas with volcanic activity.

Multiple choice

Which soil order is characterized by the presence of a gelisol horizon, which is a layer of perennially frozen soil?

  1. Gelisols

  2. Andisols

  3. Histosols

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

Gelisols are characterized by the presence of a gelisol horizon, which is a layer of perennially frozen soil. These soils are typically found in polar and subpolar regions.