Introduction
Welcome to the ultimate Soil Science Quiz, a treasure trove of over 200 one-liner questions and answers crafted to boost your general knowledge and excel in competitive examinations! Soil science, the study of soil as a natural resource, is a critical subject for students preparing for exams like ICAR, ARS, IBPS-AFO, SSC, UPSC, and other agricultural or environmental tests. This Soil Science Quiz covers topics such as soil formation, classification, properties, fertility, and management, sourced from credible platforms like Jagran Josh, Agri Exam, and GK Series. Whether you’re a student, educator, or soil enthusiast, this quiz will sharpen your understanding of the pedosphere and its vital role in ecosystems. Dive into this engaging Soil Science Quiz to test your knowledge and prepare effectively!
Soil Science Quiz: 200+ One-Liner Questions and Answers
- What is the study of soil called?
Answer: Pedology - What is the earth’s body of soil known as?
Answer: Pedosphere - How many basic branches does soil science have?
Answer: Two - Which branch of soil science studies the influence of soils on living things?
Answer: Edaphology - Which branch of soil science focuses on soil formation and classification?
Answer: Pedology - What is the mixing of soil by animal activities called?
Answer: Pedoturbation - Which soils are formed from the chemical decomposition of rocks?
Answer: Laterite Soils - Which soil type is pink or red in color?
Answer: Laterite Soils - What is the dominant spectrum of soil color denoted as?
Answer: Hue - Which soil covers 40% of India’s geographical area?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - How are alluvial soils primarily formed?
Answer: By depositional work of rivers in plains, valleys, floodplains, and deltas - Which soil is formed by the solidification of lava on the Deccan Plateau?
Answer: Regur Soil (Black Cotton Soil) - Which soil is rich in minerals due to volcanic activities?
Answer: Black Cotton Soil - Where are black cotton soils commonly found in India?
Answer: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu - Which soil type is formed by the decomposition of granite and gneiss?
Answer: Red Soil - What is the typical characteristic of black soil during wet periods?
Answer: Swelling - What happens to black soil during dry periods?
Answer: Shrinkage - Which metals are black soils rich in?
Answer: Iron, Magnesium, Aluminum - What type of soil is found in Central, Eastern, and South India?
Answer: Laterite Soil - Which soil is composed of calcite depositions?
Answer: Laterite Soil - What is the natural vegetation that grows without human intervention called?
Answer: Virgin Vegetation - Which soil is formed due to intense leaching?
Answer: Laterite Soil - Which soil is best suited for cotton cultivation?
Answer: Black Cotton Soil - What is the primary soil type in the Indo-Gangetic plains?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - Which soil type is known for its high water-holding capacity?
Answer: Clay Soil - What is the primary source of nitrogen in soil?
Answer: Organic Matter - Which chemical compound improves soil aeration and water-holding capacity?
Answer: Gypsum - What is the most fragile layer of the earth that anchors life?
Answer: Soil - Which soil order is common in India and lacks horizon development?
Answer: Entisols - Which soil order in India is known for high clay content and cracking?
Answer: Vertisols - What is the soil horizon rich in organic matter called?
Answer: O Horizon - What is the layer of soil where minerals accumulate called?
Answer: B Horizon - Which soil texture is a balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay?
Answer: Loam - What is the primary factor responsible for soil formation?
Answer: Weathering - Which climatic factors promote soil formation?
Answer: Temperature and Rainfall - What is the process of soil erosion in humid tropics called?
Answer: Land Degradation - Which soil is found in the Western Ghats and Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
Answer: Tropical Evergreen Forest Soil - What is the soil type associated with mangrove forests?
Answer: Mangrove Soil - Which soil is found in regions with 70-200 cm rainfall?
Answer: Dry Deciduous Forest Soil - What is the primary component of soil organic matter?
Answer: Humus - Which soil is most suitable for rice cultivation?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the pH range of acidic soils?
Answer: Below 7 - Which soil is known for its high specific gravity?
Answer: Laterite Soil - What is the primary cause of soil salinity?
Answer: Accumulation of Soluble Salts - Which soil type is most prone to erosion?
Answer: Sandy Soil - What is the term for the arrangement of soil particles?
Answer: Soil Structure - Which soil horizon is also called the topsoil?
Answer: A Horizon - What is the primary rock type from which soils form?
Answer: Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic - Which soil is rich in iron oxides?
Answer: Red Soil - What is the process of soil formation called?
Answer: Pedogenesis - Which element is essential for nitrogen fixation in soil?
Answer: Molybdenum - What is the term for soil’s ability to hold nutrients?
Answer: Cation Exchange Capacity - Which soil type is found in arid regions?
Answer: Desert Soil - What is the primary source of phosphorus in soil?
Answer: Apatite - Which soil is formed from basalt rocks?
Answer: Laterite Soil - What is the term for the vertical section of soil layers?
Answer: Soil Profile - Which soil is known for its sticky nature when wet?
Answer: Clay Soil - What is the primary cause of soil compaction?
Answer: Heavy Machinery Use - Which soil type supports tropical rainforests?
Answer: Laterite Soil - What is the term for soil particles smaller than 0.002 mm?
Answer: Clay - Which soil is most fertile for agriculture?
Answer: Loamy Soil - What is the primary factor affecting soil color?
Answer: Organic Matter and Iron Content - Which soil type is found in deltas?
Answer: Deltaic Alluvial Soil - What is the term for the loss of soil nutrients due to water?
Answer: Leaching - Which soil is known for its black color due to organic matter?
Answer: Mollisols - What is the primary source of potassium in soil?
Answer: Feldspar - Which soil type is common in the Thar Desert?
Answer: Sandy Soil - What is the term for the breakdown of rocks into soil?
Answer: Weathering - Which soil is best for wheat cultivation?
Answer: Loamy Soil - What is the primary role of soil in ecosystems?
Answer: Medium for Plant Growth - Which soil horizon is rich in clay accumulation?
Answer: B Horizon - What is the term for soil’s water-holding capacity?
Answer: Field Capacity - Which soil type is associated with volcanic ash?
Answer: Andisols - What is the primary cause of soil alkalinity?
Answer: Presence of Sodium Carbonate - Which soil is found in the Himalayan region?
Answer: Mountain Soil - What is the term for soil’s ability to support plant growth?
Answer: Soil Fertility - Which soil type is rich in humus?
Answer: Mollisols - What is the primary component of sandy soil?
Answer: Sand - Which soil is most affected by wind erosion?
Answer: Sandy Soil - What is the term for the chemical breakdown of rocks?
Answer: Chemical Weathering - Which soil type is found in the Deccan Plateau?
Answer: Black Cotton Soil - What is the primary source of organic matter in soil?
Answer: Decomposed Plant and Animal Residues - Which soil is known for its high porosity?
Answer: Sandy Soil - What is the term for the movement of soil particles by water?
Answer: Erosion - Which soil type is best for root crops?
Answer: Sandy Loam - What is the primary factor in soil texture determination?
Answer: Particle Size Distribution - Which soil is found in semi-arid regions?
Answer: Aridisols - What is the term for the topmost soil layer?
Answer: O Horizon - Which soil type is associated with high salinity?
Answer: Saline Soil - What is the primary cause of soil acidity?
Answer: Leaching of Bases - Which soil is best for legume cultivation?
Answer: Loamy Soil - What is the term for soil’s ability to retain water?
Answer: Water Retention Capacity - Which soil type is found in floodplains?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the primary source of sulfur in soil?
Answer: Gypsum - Which soil is known for its low nutrient content?
Answer: Sandy Soil - What is the term for the physical breakdown of rocks?
Answer: Physical Weathering - Which soil type is associated with peat formation?
Answer: Histosols - What is the primary factor in soil pH?
Answer: Hydrogen Ion Concentration - Which soil is best for fruit orchards?
Answer: Loamy Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to exchange cations?
Answer: Cation Exchange Capacity - Which soil type is found in coastal regions?
Answer: Saline Soil - What is the primary cause of soil degradation?
Answer: Human Activities - Which soil is known for its high fertility?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the term for the removal of topsoil by wind or water?
Answer: Erosion - Which soil type is best for sugarcane cultivation?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the primary source of calcium in soil?
Answer: Limestone - Which soil is associated with desert vegetation?
Answer: Aridisols - What is the term for the soil’s ability to support microbial activity?
Answer: Soil Microbiology - Which soil type is found in the Gangetic delta?
Answer: Deltaic Alluvial Soil - What is the primary cause of soil crusting?
Answer: Heavy Rainfall - Which soil is best for maize cultivation?
Answer: Loamy Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to drain water?
Answer: Permeability - Which soil type is associated with high organic matter?
Answer: Mollisols - What is the primary source of magnesium in soil?
Answer: Dolomite - Which soil is found in the Rajasthan desert?
Answer: Sandy Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to hold air?
Answer: Porosity - Which soil type is best for vegetable cultivation?
Answer: Loamy Soil - What is the primary cause of soil pollution?
Answer: Industrial Waste - Which soil is associated with coniferous forests?
Answer: Podzols - What is the term for the soil’s ability to support plant roots?
Answer: Anchorage - Which soil type is found in the Brahmaputra valley?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the primary source of zinc in soil?
Answer: Sphalerite - Which soil is best for tea cultivation?
Answer: Laterite Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to buffer pH changes?
Answer: Buffering Capacity - Which soil type is associated with high clay content?
Answer: Vertisols - What is the primary cause of soil infertility?
Answer: Nutrient Depletion - Which soil is found in the Malwa Plateau?
Answer: Black Cotton Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to conduct heat?
Answer: Thermal Conductivity - Which soil type is best for coffee cultivation?
Answer: Laterite Soil - What is the primary source of boron in soil?
Answer: Tourmaline - Which soil is associated with grasslands?
Answer: Mollisols - What is the term for the soil’s ability to retain nutrients?
Answer: Nutrient Retention Capacity - Which soil type is found in the Sundarbans?
Answer: Mangrove Soil - What is the primary cause of soil acidification?
Answer: Acid Rain - Which soil is best for groundnut cultivation?
Answer: Sandy Loam - What is the term for the soil’s ability to support microbial life?
Answer: Soil Biology - Which soil type is associated with high iron content?
Answer: Red Soil - What is the primary source of iron in soil?
Answer: Hematite - Which soil is found in the Eastern Ghats?
Answer: Red Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to resist erosion?
Answer: Soil Stability - Which soil type is best for barley cultivation?
Answer: Loamy Soil - What is the primary cause of soil salinization?
Answer: Irrigation with Salty Water - Which soil is associated with tundra regions?
Answer: Gelisols - What is the term for the soil’s ability to store water?
Answer: Water Storage Capacity - Which soil type is found in the Indo-Gangetic plains?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the primary source of organic carbon in soil?
Answer: Plant Residues - Which soil is best for pulses cultivation?
Answer: Loamy Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to support plant growth?
Answer: Soil Productivity - Which soil type is associated with high aluminum content?
Answer: Laterite Soil - What is the primary cause of soil compaction?
Answer: Heavy Traffic - Which soil is found in the Chota Nagpur Plateau?
Answer: Red Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to filter water?
Answer: Filtration Capacity - Which soil type is best for millet cultivation?
Answer: Sandy Loam - What is the primary source of manganese in soil?
Answer: Pyrolusite - Which soil is associated with savanna regions?
Answer: Alfisols - What is the term for the soil’s ability to retain moisture?
Answer: Moisture Retention - Which soil type is found in the Godavari delta?
Answer: Deltaic Alluvial Soil - What is the primary cause of soil erosion?
Answer: Water and Wind - Which soil is best for tobacco cultivation?
Answer: Sandy Loam - What is the term for the soil’s ability to support ecosystems?
Answer: Ecosystem Services - Which soil type is associated with high potassium content?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the primary source of copper in soil?
Answer: Chalcopyrite - Which soil is found in the Kaveri delta?
Answer: Deltaic Alluvial Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to decompose organic matter?
Answer: Decomposition Rate - Which soil type is best for jute cultivation?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the primary cause of soil desertification?
Answer: Overgrazing - Which soil is associated with high calcium content?
Answer: Calcareous Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to regulate water flow?
Answer: Hydraulic Conductivity - Which soil type is found in the Terai region?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the primary source of nitrogen in soil?
Answer: Organic Matter - Which soil is best for cotton cultivation?
Answer: Black Cotton Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to support biodiversity?
Answer: Soil Biodiversity - Which soil type is associated with high magnesium content?
Answer: Black Soil - What is the primary cause of soil contamination?
Answer: Industrial Pollutants - Which soil is found in the Krishna delta?
Answer: Deltaic Alluvial Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to store carbon?
Answer: Carbon Sequestration - Which soil type is best for sugarcane cultivation?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the primary source of phosphorus in soil?
Answer: Apatite - Which soil is associated with high sodium content?
Answer: Sodic Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to resist compaction?
Answer: Soil Resilience - Which soil type is found in the Punjab plains?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the primary cause of soil nutrient loss?
Answer: Leaching - Which soil is best for oilseed cultivation?
Answer: Loamy Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to support plant nutrients?
Answer: Nutrient Availability - Which soil type is associated with high organic carbon?
Answer: Mollisols - What is the primary source of potassium in soil?
Answer: Feldspar - Which soil is found in the Gujarat plains?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to retain heat?
Answer: Thermal Capacity - Which soil type is best for banana cultivation?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the primary cause of soil alkalization?
Answer: Sodium Accumulation - Which soil is associated with high zinc content?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to support microbial activity?
Answer: Microbial Biomass - Which soil type is found in the Mahanadi delta?
Answer: Deltaic Alluvial Soil - What is the primary source of sulfur in soil?
Answer: Gypsum - Which soil is best for mango cultivation?
Answer: Loamy Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to resist degradation?
Answer: Soil Health - Which soil type is associated with high boron content?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the primary cause of soil waterlogging?
Answer: Poor Drainage - Which soil is found in the Rann of Kutch?
Answer: Saline Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to support plant growth?
Answer: Soil Fertility - Which soil type is best for rubber cultivation?
Answer: Laterite Soil - What is the primary source of organic matter in soil?
Answer: Decomposed Plant and Animal Residues - Which soil is associated with high manganese content?
Answer: Black Soil - What is the term for the soil’s ability to purify water?
Answer: Filtration Capacity - Which soil type is found in the Narmada valley?
Answer: Black Cotton Soil - What is the primary cause of soil fertility decline?
Answer: Overcultivation - Which soil is best for coconut cultivation?
Answer: Sandy Loam - What is the term for the soil’s ability to support ecosystems?
Answer: Ecosystem Services - Which soil type is associated with high copper content?
Answer: Alluvial Soil - What is the primary source of calcium in soil?
Answer: Limestone
Conclusion
This Soil Science Quiz with over 200 one-liner questions and answers is your go-to resource for mastering soil science concepts and acing competitive exams. From soil formation to classification, properties, and fertility, this quiz covers it all, making it an essential tool for students, educators, and agriculture enthusiasts. By regularly practicing these questions, you can strengthen your general knowledge and gain confidence for exams like ICAR, UPSC, SSC, and more. Keep exploring the fascinating world of soil science and stay prepared for success!
Disclaimer
The information provided in this Soil Science Quiz is sourced from credible platforms such as, Agri Exam, and GK Series, and is intended for educational and exam preparation purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or correctness of the content. Users are advised to verify information from additional sources for critical applications. The creators of this quiz are not liable for any errors, omissions, or consequences arising from the use of this information.