MCQ on Tillage and Tilth - Examups - Boost Your Exam Potential

Tillage and Tilth MCQ for All Agriculture Exams like ICAR-JEF, ICAR-SRF, ICAR-NET, IBPS-AFO/SO, Pre-PG, BHU Pre-PG, IFFCO-AGT, CCI, FCI, B.sc, M.sc, etc.

Multiple Choice Questions on Tillage and Soil Physical Properties

What is the primary objective of tillage?
a) Weed control
b) Soil aeration
c) Seed bed preparation
d) Soil warming
Answer: c) Seed bed preparation
Explanation: Tillage is primarily aimed at preparing a suitable seed bed for optimal germination and subsequent crop growth.
What is tilth?
a) Soil acidity
b) Soil texture
c) Soil fertility
d) Soil physical condition
Answer: d) Soil physical condition
Explanation: Tilth refers to the physical condition of soil resulting from tillage, characterized by qualities like mellow texture, good structure, and adequate aeration.
Which characteristic is desirable for good tilth?
a) High soil acidity
b) Compacted soil
c) Adequate soil aeration
d) Poor soil drainage
Answer: c) Adequate soil aeration
Explanation: Good tilth includes characteristics like mellow, friable texture, and adequate aeration, facilitating better root growth and nutrient uptake by crops.
What is the effect of a higher percentage of smaller aggregates in soil?
a) Improved soil aeration
b) Increased soil compaction
c) Enhanced water retention
d) Better soil drainage
Answer: c) Enhanced water retention
Explanation: A higher percentage of smaller aggregates in soil improves water retention, which is desirable especially in dry land agriculture.
Which objective of tillage involves exposing soil-dwelling pests to sunlight?
a) Weed control
b) Soil aeration
c) Pest control
d) Stubble removal
Answer: c) Pest control
Explanation: Tillage can expose soil-dwelling pathogens and insect pests to sunlight, aiding in their control through desiccation.
What is the purpose of breaking hard pans in the soil?
a) Improving soil texture
b) Increasing soil fertility
c) Enhancing soil drainage
d) Facilitating root penetration
Answer: d) Facilitating root penetration
Explanation: Breaking hard pans in the soil through tillage helps facilitate root penetration, allowing roots to grow deeper and access water and nutrients.
Which soil type requires finer tilth?
a) Sandy soils
b) Clayey soils
c) Loamy soils
d) Silt soils
Answer: a) Sandy soils
Explanation: Sandy soils require finer tilth for better water retention and seed germination, whereas heavy clay soils can tolerate coarser tilth.
What is the main purpose of tillage in relation to organic manures?
a) Enhancing soil fertility
b) Reducing soil erosion
c) Improving soil structure
d) Incorporating bulky organic manures
Answer: d) Incorporating bulky organic manures
Explanation: Tillage helps in incorporating bulky organic manures into the soil, facilitating their decomposition and releasing nutrients for plant uptake.
Which factor is not influenced by tillage?
a) Soil color
b) Soil texture
c) Soil structure
d) Soil pH
Answer: a) Soil color
Explanation: Soil color is primarily influenced by factors like organic matter content, drainage, and soil formation processes, rather than tillage practices.
How does tillage affect the infiltration rate of soil?
a) Decreases infiltration rate
b) Increases infiltration rate
c) No effect on infiltration rate
d) Increases runoff
Answer: b) Increases infiltration rate
Explanation: Tillage can increase the infiltration rate of soil by breaking up soil aggregates, reducing surface sealing, and creating pore spaces for water to penetrate into the soil profile.
Which property of soil is directly influenced by tillage and is characterized by arrangements of soil particles with a crumbly and granular nature?
a) Soil texture
b) Soil structure
c) Bulk density
d) Particle density
Answer: b) Soil structure
Explanation: Soil structure refers to the arrangement of soil particles, and tillage can improve soil structure by creating a more crumbly and granular texture, aiding in aeration and water infiltration.
Which of the following is unaffected by tillage?
a) Soil structure
b) Soil texture
c) Pore space
d) Bulk density
Answer: b) Soil texture
Explanation: Soil texture is the relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay, and is a property determined by soil formation and geological factors. Tillage does not alter soil texture.
How does tillage affect pore space in soil?
a) Increases pore space
b) Decreases pore space
c) No effect on pore space
d) Closes pores
Answer: a) Increases pore space
Explanation: Tillage increases pore space by loosening soil particles, allowing for better air and moisture movement within the soil. This enhances soil aeration and water infiltration.
Which soil property decreases when a soil is loosened by tillage?
a) Bulk density
b) Particle density
c) Pore space
d) Soil color
Answer: a) Bulk density
Explanation: Bulk density is the mass of soil per unit volume. When soil is loosened through tillage, the volume increases, reducing bulk density.
What is the effect of tillage on particle density?
a) Increases particle density
b) Decreases particle density
c) No effect on particle density
d) Increases pore space
Answer: c) No effect on particle density
Explanation: Particle density is a measure of the density of soil particles themselves and is not altered by tillage. It is generally greater than bulk density.
How does tillage affect soil color?
a) Darkens soil color
b) Lightens soil color
c) No effect on soil color
d) Causes mottling
Answer: b) Lightens soil color
Explanation: Tillage can increase oxidation and decomposition of organic matter, leading to a fading or lightening of soil color. Organic matter is responsible for the dark brown to dark gray color in soils.
What can occur if tillage is performed when the soil is too wet?
a) Improves soil structure
b) Spoils soil structure
c) Increases bulk density
d) Reduces soil aeration
Answer: b) Spoils soil structure
Explanation: Tilling a soil when it’s too wet can lead to soil compaction and damage to soil structure, which negatively affects soil health and crop growth.
What is the typical bulk density range for sandy soils?
a) 1.05 – 1.10 m³
b) 1.25 – 1.30 m³
c) 1.50 – 1.60 m³
d) 1.70 – 1.80 m³
Answer: b) 1.25 – 1.30 m³
Explanation: Sandy soils typically have a higher bulk density compared to clay soils due to the larger particle sizes and lower organic matter content.
How does tillage affect soil aeration?
a) Increases soil aeration
b) Decreases soil aeration
c) No effect on soil aeration
d) Causes soil compaction
Answer: a) Increases soil aeration
Explanation: Tillage increases soil aeration by loosening the soil and creating more pore space, allowing for better air circulation within the soil.
What happens to bulk density when a soil is ploughed?
a) Increases
b) Decreases
c) Remains constant
d) Varies with soil texture
Answer: b) Decreases
Explanation: Ploughing loosens the soil, which increases its volume without a corresponding increase in mass, leading to a decrease in bulk density.