Soil Science Qualification related questions

What is soil science? a) The study of plants b) The study of soil formation c) The study of rocks d) The study of soil properties, composition, and processes Answer: d) The study of soil properties, composition, and processes Which of the following is NOT a primary component of soil? a) Minerals b) Organic matter c) Water d) Air Answer: d) Air What is the term for the uppermost layer of soil, usually rich in organic matter and microbial activity? a) Subsoil b) Bedrock c) Topsoil d) Horizon Answer: c) Topsoil Which soil particle has the largest size? a) Clay b) Silt c) Sand d) Humus Answer: c) Sand Which soil horizon contains partially weathered parent material? a) A horizon b) B horizon c) C horizon d) O horizon Answer: b) B horizon What is soil pH? a) The amount of organic matter in soil b) The measure of soil particle size c) The measure of soil acidity or alkalinity d) The depth of soil layers Answer: c) The measure of soil acidity or alkalinity Which nutrient is commonly deficient in acidic soils? a) Nitrogen b) Phosphorus c) Potassium d) Calcium Answer: d) Calcium What is the role of soil organic matter? a) Providing structural support to plants b) Holding and releasing nutrients c) Increasing soil compaction d) Preventing soil erosion Answer: b) Holding and releasing nutrients Which soil texture has the best water retention capacity? a) Sandy soil b) Silty soil c) Clay soil d) Loamy soil Answer: c) Clay soil What is the term for the movement of water downward through the soil? a) Percolation b) Erosion c) Leaching d) Capillarity Answer: a) Percolation Which soil microorganism is responsible for fixing atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use? a) Fungi b) Bacteria c) Algae d) Protozoa Answer: b) Bacteria What is soil compaction? a) The process of adding organic matter to soil b) The process of soil particles sticking together c) The process of soil particles being squeezed together, reducing pore space d) The process of soil particles breaking down into smaller particles Answer: c) The process of soil particles being squeezed together, reducing pore space Which of the following factors does NOT influence soil formation? a) Parent material b) Climate c) Vegetation d) Human activity Answer: d) Human activity Which soil horizon contains the highest amount of organic matter? a) O horizon b) A horizon c) B horizon d) C horizon Answer: a) O horizon What is the term for the ability of soil to exchange cations with the soil solution? a) Cation absorption capacity b) Anion exchange capacity c) Cation exchange capacity d) Soil buffering capacity Answer: c) Cation exchange capacity Which of the following nutrients is a macronutrient required in large quantities by plants? a) Iron b) Zinc c) Magnesium d) Manganese Answer: c) Magnesium What is the term for the process of minerals being dissolved and carried away by water in soil? a) Leaching b) Erosion c) Weathering d) Percolation Answer: a) Leaching Which of the following is a characteristic of well-drained soil? a) High water retention capacity b) Low infiltration rate c) Poor aeration d) Waterlogging is a common issue Answer: c) Poor aeration What is the primary source of organic matter in soil? a) Plant roots b) Soil microorganisms c) Decaying plant and animal material d) Atmospheric deposition Answer: c) Decaying plant and animal material Which of the following soil types has the highest water infiltration rate? a) Sandy soil b) Silty soil c) Clay soil d) Loamy soil Answer: a) Sandy soil What is the term for the loss of soil due to wind or water action? a) Erosion b) Weathering c) Leaching d) Percolation Answer: a) Erosion Which of the following is NOT a primary soil-forming factor? a) Climate b) Relief (topography) c) Soil texture d) Parent material Answer: c) Soil texture What is the role of soil aggregates in soil structure? a) Facilitating soil compaction b) Reducing soil aeration c) Enhancing water infiltration and root penetration d) Preventing water movement in soil Answer: c) Enhancing water infiltration and root penetration Which of the following soil horizons contains the most weathered material? a) A horizon b) B horizon c) C horizon d) O horizon Answer: c) C horizon What is the term for the gradual breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller particles by physical, chemical, and biological processes? a) Weathering b) Erosion c) Leaching d) Percolation