MCQs on Soil fertility

MCQs on Soil fertility like ICAR-JEF, ICAR-SRF, ICAR-NET, IBPS-AFO/SO, Pre-PG, BHU Pre-PG, IFFCO-AGT, CCI, FCI, B.sc, M.sc, etc.

Question 1:

What is the term for the inherent capacity of the soil to supply plant nutrients in adequate quantities and suitable proportions?

  • A) Soil productivity
  • B) Soil fertility
  • C) Soil structure
  • D) Soil texture

Answer:
B) Soil fertility

Explanation:
Soil fertility refers to the inherent capacity of the soil to supply plant nutrients in adequate quantities and suitable proportions to support plant growth.


Question 2:

What does soil productivity refer to?

  • A) The capacity of a soil to produce crops
  • B) The number of microorganisms in the soil
  • C) The ability of the soil to retain moisture
  • D) The nutrient content of the soil

Answer:
A) The capacity of a soil to produce crops

Explanation:
Soil productivity is the capacity of a soil to produce crops. It is influenced by soil fertility and other factors like soil structure, moisture, and microbial activity.


Question 3:

Which of the following factors does NOT influence soil productivity?

  • A) Soil moisture
  • B) Soil microorganisms
  • C) Soil erosion
  • D) Soil color

Answer:
D) Soil color

Explanation:
Soil productivity is influenced by factors like soil fertility, physical condition, soil microorganisms, and moisture. Soil color does not have a direct impact on productivity.


Question 4:

Which type of nutrient loss is more prevalent in sandy soils?

  • A) Erosion
  • B) Leaching
  • C) Gaseous loss
  • D) Removal by crops

Answer:
B) Leaching

Explanation:
Leaching is more prevalent in sandy soils because of their low water-holding capacity, causing nutrients to be washed away from the soil.


Question 5:

How can nutrients be lost from the soil through denitrification?

  • A) As a result of leaching
  • B) Due to the removal by crops
  • C) Due to soil erosion
  • D) In gaseous form

Answer:
D) In gaseous form

Explanation:
Denitrification is a process where soil bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas (N₂) or nitrous oxide (N₂O), leading to nitrogen loss in gaseous form.


Question 6:

Which of the following practices can help maintain soil fertility?

  • A) Regular addition of plant nutrients
  • B) Allowing soil erosion
  • C) Removing crop residues from the field
  • D) Using highly saline irrigation water

Answer:
A) Regular addition of plant nutrients

Explanation:
Regular addition of plant nutrients helps maintain soil fertility by replenishing nutrients lost due to crop uptake, leaching, or other factors.


Question 7:

Which crop removes the most potassium (K) from the soil?

  • A) Rice
  • B) Wheat
  • C) Sorghum
  • D) Maize

Answer:
C) Sorghum

Explanation:
Sorghum removes 200-300 kg/ha of potassium, which is the highest among the listed crops.


Question 8:

What is one method to prevent soil erosion, a common cause of fertility loss?

  • A) Crop rotation
  • B) Removing all vegetation from the soil surface
  • C) Using heavy machinery on wet soils
  • D) Plowing the soil in the opposite direction of the slope

Answer:
A) Crop rotation

Explanation:
Crop rotation helps maintain soil structure and reduces soil erosion by providing continuous vegetation cover, minimizing wind and water erosion risks.


Question 9:

Why is soil organic matter important for maintaining soil fertility?

  • A) It helps bind soil particles together
  • B) It increases soil salinity
  • C) It prevents moisture retention
  • D) It is composed entirely of plant nutrients

Answer:
A) It helps bind soil particles together

Explanation:
Soil organic matter improves soil structure by binding soil particles, enhancing moisture retention, and providing nutrients through decomposition.


Question 10:

Which of the following could be an inhibitory factor affecting soil productivity?

  • A) Proper drainage
  • B) Alkalinity
  • C) Adequate soil moisture
  • D) High organic matter content

Answer:
B) Alkalinity

Explanation:
Alkalinity can inhibit plant growth by affecting nutrient availability and soil structure, reducing soil productivity.


Question 11:

Which of the following is a broader term used to indicate yields of crops?

  • A) Soil fertility
  • B) Soil productivity
  • C) Soil structure
  • D) Soil organic matter

Answer:
B) Soil productivity

Explanation:
Soil productivity encompasses not only soil fertility but also other factors that influence crop yields, such as water supply, land slope, and climate.


Question 12:

Soil fertility can be analyzed in the laboratory. What other term is evaluated in the field under particular climatic conditions?

  • A) Soil productivity
  • B) Soil structure
  • C) Soil salinity
  • D) Soil texture

Answer:
A) Soil productivity

Explanation:
Soil productivity is influenced by field conditions and climate, while soil fertility is typically assessed in a laboratory for nutrient availability.


Question 13:

Which process converts nitrate (NO₃) to nitrogen gas (N₂)?

  • A) Volatilization
  • B) Denitrification
  • C) Nitrification
  • D) Fixation

Answer:
B) Denitrification

Explanation:
Denitrification is the process where nitrate (NO₃) is converted into nitrogen gas (N₂) by soil bacteria, resulting in nitrogen loss in gaseous form.


Question 14:

Which method helps maintain soil fertility through cultural practices?

  • A) Adding lime to acidic soils
  • B) Using fallow periods
  • C) Adding inorganic fertilizers
  • D) Applying bio-fertilizers like rhizobium

Answer:
B) Using fallow periods

Explanation:
Fallow periods allow the soil to rest and replenish nutrients, helping maintain soil fertility as part of cultural practices.


Question 15:

Which of the following is an organic material used to maintain soil fertility?

  • A) Lime
  • B) Gypsum
  • C) Compost
  • D) Ammonium nitrate

Answer:
C) Compost

Explanation:
Compost is organic material derived from decomposed plant and animal matter, used to improve soil fertility and structure.


Question 16:

Which of the following can be used as a soil amendment to improve soil structure and fertility?

  • A) Paddy husk
  • B) Inorganic fertilizers
  • C) Bio-fertilizers
  • D) Weedicides

Answer:
A) Paddy husk

Explanation:
Paddy husk can improve soil structure by adding organic matter and aiding in soil aeration and drainage, contributing to soil fertility.


Question 17:

Which type of fertilizer involves using microorganisms to enhance soil fertility?

  • A) Inorganic fertilizers
  • B) Bio-fertilizers
  • C) Organic fertilizers
  • D) Soil amendments

Answer:
B) Bio-fertilizers

Explanation:
Bio-fertilizers contain beneficial microorganisms like rhizobium, azotobacter, and blue-green algae, which enhance nutrient cycling and nitrogen fixation.


Question 18:

What is the potential status of soil in terms of nutrient availability?

  • A) Soil productivity
  • B) Soil fertility
  • C) Soil structure
  • D) Soil amendments

Answer:
B) Soil fertility

Explanation:
Soil fertility refers to the potential status of the soil regarding its ability to supply plant nutrients in adequate quantities.


Question 19:

Which cultural practice involves growing different crops in the same field during different seasons to maintain soil fertility?

  • A) Mixed cropping
  • B) Fallowing
  • C) Crop rotation
  • D) Green manuring

Answer:
C) Crop rotation

Explanation:
Crop rotation involves growing different crops in the same field in a systematic sequence, allowing the soil to regenerate and maintain fertility.


Question 20:

Which of the following represents the interaction of all factors that determine the magnitude of crop yields?

  • A) Soil productivity
  • B) Soil fertility
  • C) Soil amendments
  • D) Soil structure

Answer:
A) Soil productivity

Explanation:
Soil productivity refers to the interaction of various factors, such as soil fertility, water supply, and land slope, that ultimately determine crop yields.

MCQs on Soil fertility

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