Q. What is meant by a soil profile?
A). Vertical section of soil showing different horizons
B). Horizontal spread of soil on the surface
C). Chemical composition of soil only
D). Top layer of soil used for farming
Answer: A). Vertical section of soil showing different horizons
Explanation: A soil profile is a vertical section of soil that shows different layers or horizons from the surface down to the bedrock.
Q. Saline soils are also known as:
A. Regur soils
B. Usara soils
C. Khadar soils
D. Pedalfer soils
Answer: B. Usara soils
Q. Which of the following is commonly added to saline soil to improve its fertility?
A). Urea
B). Gypsum
C). Compost
D). Lime
Answer: B). Gypsum
Explanation: Gypsum is added to saline soils to remove excess salts and improve soil structure, making it suitable for cultivation.
Q. Cashew grow best in:
A). Black soil
B). Laterite soil
C). Alluvial soil
D). Red soil
Answer: B). Laterite soil
Q. Which type of soil erosion is most common in the Chambal basin?
A. Sheet erosion
B. Rill erosion
C. Gully erosion
D. Wind erosion
Answer: C – Chambal ravines are a classic case of gully erosion due to unchecked runoff.
Q. Match the following layers of soil profile with their characteristics:
1). A-horizon
2). B-horizon
3). C-horizon
4). R-horizon
a). Unweathered bedrock
b). Zone of accumulation of minerals
c). Topsoil rich in humus
d). Weathered parent material
Options:
A). 1–c, 2–b, 3–d, 4–a
B). 1–b, 2–c, 3–a, 4–d
C). 1–c, 2–d, 3–b, 4–a
D). 1–a, 2–b, 3–c, 4–d
Answer: A). 1–c, 2–b, 3–d, 4–a
Q. Which of the following statements about Urvara and Usara is correct?
A). Urvara refers to barren and saline land, while Usara refers to fertile land
B). Urvara refers to fertile agricultural land, while Usara refers to infertile saline land
C). Both Urvara and Usara refer to fertile land
D). Both Urvara and Usara refer to forest land
Answer: B). Urvara refers to fertile agricultural land, while Usara refers to infertile saline land
Q. ICAR was originally established in 1929 as:
A) Indian Council of Agricultural Research
B) Imperial Council of Agricultural Research
C) National Agricultural Research Institute
D) Indian Agricultural Research Foundation
Answer: B) Imperial Council of Agricultural Research
Explanation: ICAR was founded in 1929 as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research and renamed Indian Council of Agricultural Research in 1946.
Q. Match the following soil types with what they are rich in:
1). Alluvial soil
2). Black soil
3). Laterite soil
4). Peaty soil
a). Humus and organic matter
b). Iron oxide and potash
c). Potash
d). Lime, iron, magnesia and alumina
Options:
A). 1–d, 2–b, 3–c, 4–a
B). 1–b, 2–c, 3–d, 4–a
C). 1–a, 2–b, 3–c, 4–d
D). 1–c, 2–d, 3–b, 4–a
Answer: D). 1–c, 2–d, 3–b, 4–a
Q. Match the following soil types with the nutrients they are poor in:
1). Alluvial soil
2). Black soil
3). Laterite soil
4). Saline soil
a). Nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter
b). Phosphorus
c). Nitrogen and calcium
d). Organic matter, nitrogen, phosphate and calcium
Options:
A). 1–a, 2–b, 3–c, 4–d
B). 1–b, 2–a, 3–d, 4–c
C). 1–c, 2–b, 3–a, 4–d
D). 1–d, 2–c, 3–b, 4–a
Answer: B). 1–b, 2–a, 3–d, 4–c
Q. Which of the following soils is commonly known as Regur soil?
A). Alluvial soil
B). Black soil
C). Laterite soil
D). Red soil
Answer: B). Black soil
Explanation: Black soil, also called Regur soil, is rich in clay and suitable for cotton cultivation.
Q. Alluvial soils in India are mainly formed by:
A) Weathering of basalt
B) Deposition by rivers
C) Leaching in high rainfall areas
D) Wind deposition
Answer: B) Deposition by rivers
Explanation: Alluvial soils are transported and deposited by rivers, especially in the Indo–Gangetic–Brahmaputra plain
Q. Which of the following correctly differentiates Khadar and Bhangar soils?
A). Khadar is older alluvium; Bhangar is newer alluvium deposited annually
B). Khadar is fertile new alluvium found in floodplains; Bhangar is older alluvium containing kankar
C). Both Khadar and Bhangar are equally fertile and deposited annually
D). Khadar contains kankar; Bhangar is free from calcareous nodules
Answer: B). Khadar is fertile new alluvium found in floodplains; Bhangar is older alluvium containing kankar
Explanation: Khadar is the newer, fertile alluvium deposited during floods in floodplains, whereas Bhangar is older alluvium found on higher terraces and contains kankar nodules, making it less fertile.
Q. Which type of soil is commonly known as self-ploughing soil?
A) Alluvial soil
B) Black soil
C) Red soil
D) Laterite soil
Answer: B) Black soil
Explanation: It swells when wet and shrinks upon drying, resulting in deep cracks that help in natural ploughing, hence called self-ploughing soil.
Q. Red and yellow soils are primarily formed by the weathering of which type of rocks?
A). Igneous rocks
B). Sedimentary rocks
C). Metamorphic rocks
D). Volcanic lava rocks
Answer: C). Metamorphic rocks
Explanation: Red and yellow soils develop from the weathering of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks, especially which are rich in iron.
Q. Laterite soils are primarily formed under which climatic conditions?
A. Hot and arid with low rainfall
B. High temperature and high rainfall
C. Cold and dry with low rainfall
D. Temperate with moderate rainfall
Answer: B. High temperature and high rainfall
Q. Laterite soil is extensively used for which non-agricultural purpose?
A. Cement manufacturing
B. Road construction
C. Brick-making
D. Fertiliser production
Answer: C. Brick-making
Q. Arid soils are primarily found in which part of India?
A). Indo-Gangetic Plains
B). Thar Desert
C). Deccan Plateau
D). Coastal regions of Kerala
Answer: B). Thar Desert
Explanation: Arid soils occur mainly in desert regions, such as the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, characterized by low rainfall and high evaporation.
Q. Which of the following is a major characteristic of arid soils?
A). High moisture content and dark color
B). Sandy texture, low organic matter, and salinity in some areas
C). High clay content and fertility
D). Presence of kankar nodules only
Answer: B). Sandy texture, low organic matter, and salinity in some areas
Explanation: Arid soils are sandy, dry, poor in humus, and often contain soluble salts due to high evaporation.
Q. Coastal saline soils in India are mainly formed due to:
A. Capillary rise of groundwater
B. Sea water intrusion
C. Leaching of nutrients
D. Volcanic activity
Answer: B. Sea water intrusion
Explanation: Sea water intrusion during tides and storm surges leads to high salt content in coastal saline soils.
Q. In inland regions of India, saline soils are mainly formed due to:
A. Heavy rainfall causing leaching
B. Capillary rise from a saline groundwater table
C. Deposition of volcanic ash
D. Glacial activity
Answer: B. Capillary rise from a saline groundwater table
Q. Peaty soils in India are generally formed due to:
A. High rainfall, waterlogging, and accumulation of organic matter
B. Deposition of volcanic ash
C. Wind-blown loess deposition
D. Glacial retreat and moraine accumulation
Answer: A. High rainfall, waterlogging, and accumulation of organic matter
Q. Which factor plays the most important role in the formation of forest soils?
A. Parent rock alone
B. Vegetation cover and climate
C. Human activity
D. Groundwater movement
Answer: B. Vegetation cover and climate
Explanation: Forest soils are greatly influenced by dense vegetation and climatic conditions like high rainfall or snowfall.
Q. Soil degradation refers to:
A. Only erosion of topsoil
B. Decline in soil fertility, structure, and biological activity
C. Conversion of fertile land into desert only
D. Leaching of nutrients only
Answer: B. Decline in soil fertility, structure, and biological activity
Explanation: Soil degradation is a broad term that includes erosion, nutrient depletion, salinisation, acidification, and loss of biological health.
Q. Which human activity is the largest contributor to soil degradation in India?
A. Deforestation
B. Overgrazing
C. Unscientific agricultural practices
D. Urbanisation
Answer: A. Deforestation
Explanation: Deforestation exposes soil to erosion, leading to rapid degradation, especially in hilly areas.
Q. With reference to the Soil Survey of India (SSI), consider the following statements:
1. It was established in 1956 under the Ministry of Agriculture.
2. Its primary mandate is to conduct soil resource mapping and land capability classification.
3. It functions under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
• Statement 3 Incorrect — It works under the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare, not the Department of Agricultural Research and Education
Q. Consider the following statements about ICAR:
1. It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
2. It manages both research institutes and agricultural universities.
3. It is the apex body for agricultural education, research, and extension in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: D) 1, 2, and 3
Explanation: All three statements are correct — ICAR is autonomous, manages both research and education institutions, and is India’s top agricultural research body
Q. With reference to the Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), consider the following statements:
1. CAZRI is located in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
2. It focuses on research related to arid and semi-arid regions of India.
3. CAZRI operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
4. It works on developing drought-resistant crop varieties and soil conservation techniques.
5. CAZRI was established in 1959.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1, 2, and 3 only
B. 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
C. 2, 3, and 4 only
D. 1, 3, and 4 only
Answer:B. 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
Explanation:
• Statement 3 is incorrect — CAZRI operates under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare through ICAR, not the Ministry of Environment.
Q. With reference to the Central Soil Conservation Board (CSCB), consider the following statements:
1. CSCB works under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
2. Its primary role is to promote soil and water conservation in India.
3. CSCB is responsible for implementing the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP).
4. It was established after India’s independence in 1947.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1, 2, and 3 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2, 3, and 4 only
D. All of the above
Answer:A. 1, 2, and 3 only
Explanation:
• Statement 4 is incorrect — CSCB was established in 1952, not immediately after independence in 1947.
Q. Match the following soils with their typical color:
1). Alluvial soil a). Deep black to grey
2). Black soil b). Red to brown
3). Arid soil c). Light grey to ash grey
Options:
A) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
B) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
C) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
D) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
Answer: C) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b