India is a vast country with diverse soil types that play a crucial role in its agriculture and ecosystem. Understanding the characteristics and distribution of these soils is essential for effective land management, crop selection, and sustainable farming practices. In this blog post, we will explore multiple-choice questions (MCQs) that test your knowledge of the various soil types found in India, their formation processes, properties, and significance. These MCQs will not only enhance your understanding of Indian soils but also prepare you for related examinations or quizzes. Whether you’re a student, an agriculturist, or simply someone with an interest in the subject, these MCQs on Soils in India will challenge and enrich your knowledge.
There are eight types of soils found in India  alluvial soil, black soil, red soil, laterite soil, desert or arid soil, and forest and mountainous soil, peaty or marsh soil and Saline or alkaline soil. Mcqs on Soils in India is important for the exam point of view .
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soil quiz questions and answers
Q1. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has classified soils into how many categories ?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
Q2. Which of the following soil are mainly derived from the debris brought down from the Himalayas or the silt left by the retreating sea ?
A. Red soil
B. Alluvial soil
C. Saline and Alkaline soils
D. Arid soil
Q3. Alluvial soil also occur in deltas of the Mahanadi,the Godavari, the Krishna and Kaveri ,where they are called ?
A. Alluvium plain soil
b. Alluvium plantation soil
C. Deltalic allluivim
D. Fertile alluvim soil
Q4. A few meters below the terrace of the bhangar are beds of lime nodules known as ?
A. Kankar
B. Raite
C. phater
D. kichad
Q5. Which is composed of newer alluvium and forms the flood plains along the river banks?
A. Bhanger
B. Khadar
C. Bhabar
D. Tarai
Q6. Which of the following is suitable crops for Alluvial soil ?
A. Wheat
B. Rice
C. Sugarcane
D. All of them
Q7. Which soil is locally known as The Regur soil ?
A. Alluvial soil
B. Red soil
C. Black soil
D. Arid soil
Q8. The black soils is famous for the Cultivation of ?
A. Rice
B. Jute
C. Wheat
D. Cotton
Q9. The parent material for most of the black soil are the volcanic rocks that were formed in the ?
A. Malwa Plateau
B. Deccan Plateau
C. Western Ghats
D. Eastern Ghats
Q10. The soils are black in colour due to the presence of ?
A. Iron
B. Aluminium
C. Humus
D. All of them
Q11. Which of the following is not suitable crops of black soils ?
A. Cotton
B. Vegetables
C. Rice
D. Pluses
Q12. Which soil is also known as the omnibus group ?
A. Black soil
B. Red soil
C. Alluvial soil
D. Laterite soil
Q13. In which of the following sates Red soil is found ?
A. Uttar Pradesh
B. Panjab
C. Nagaland
D. Gujarat
Q14. Which of the soil is rich in iron and potash?
A. Black soil
B. Arid soil
C. Alluvial soil
D. Red soil
Q15. Which of the following is not suitable crop of Red soil ?
A. Wheat
B. Patato
C. sugarcane
D. Tobacco
Q16.Which soil is seen in the areas where temperature and rainfall is high?
A. Black soil
B. Red soil
C. Alluvial soil
D. Laterite soil
Q17. Laterite soil contains ?
A. Nitrogen and Potash
B. Potassium and Lime
C. Iron and Aluminum
D. Humus
Q18. Laterite soil is commonly found in ?
A. Karnataka
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. All of them
Q19. Which of the following is famous crop of Laterite soil ?
A. sugarcane
B. Maize
C. Groundnut
D. Tobacco
Q20. Which soils are sandy with low organic matter.
A. Arid soil
B. Red soil
C. Black soil
D. Saline soil
Q21. Which of the following is main suitable crop of Arid soils ?
A. Rice
B. Wheat
C. Millet
D. Pulses
Q22. Saline and Alkaline soils are mainly found in ?
A. Rajasthan
B. Punjab
C. Maharashtra
D. All of above
Q23. Which soil is found in the areas of heavy rainfall and humidity?
A. Peaty and Marshy soil
B. Desert/Arid soil
C. Saline and Alkaline soils
D. None of the above
Q24. Peaty and Marshy soils are suitable for which crops?
A. Groundnuts and Fodder
B. Sugarcane and Maize
C. Rice and Jute
D. Tobbaco and wheat
Q25. Which soil is poor in Potash and Phosphorus ?
A. Peaty and Marshy soil
B. Forest soil
C. Saline and Alkaline soils
D. None of the above
Q26. Forest soil/ Mountain soils are not found in ?
A. Himalayas
B. Eastern Ghats
C. Terai region
D. Malwa Platuea
Q27. Which of the following is not suitable crop of Forest soils ?
A. Cotton
B. Bamboo
C. Tea
D. fruits farming
Q28. To which group does the black cotton soil of India belong?
A. Podzol
B. Alluvial
C. Chemozem
D. Laterite
Q29. Mostly which soil is found in India ?
A. Black cotton soil
B. Red soil
C. Laterite soil
D. Alluvial soil.
Q30. What are the main problems of Indian soils ?
A. Indian soils have been used for cultivaion for hundreds of years
B. Indian soils are largely deficient in Nitrogen and mineral salts
C. soil erosion
D. All of them
Indian soil questions and answers
- Which of the following is the largest soil group in India?
a) Alluvial soils
b) Red and Yellow soils
c) Black soils
d) Laterite soils
Answer: a) Alluvial soils
- Regur or Black Cotton soils are known for their:
a) High water retention capacity
b) High fertility
c) High clay content
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
- Which soil type is commonly found in the Himalayan region?
a) Alluvial soils
b) Red and Yellow soils
c) Mountain soils
d) Coastal soils
Answer: c) Mountain soils
- Laterite soils are formed due to:
a) Intense leaching
b) High rainfall and high temperature
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above
Answer: c) Both a and b
- Which soil type is known for its high iron oxide content, giving it a reddish-brown color?
a) Alluvial soils
b) Black soils
c) Red and Yellow soils
d) Laterite soils
Answer: c) Red and Yellow soils
- Arid soils are commonly found in which region of India?
a) Western Rajasthan
b) Coastal regions
c) Northeastern states
d) Himalayan region
Answer: a) Western Rajasthan
- Which soil type is considered best for cotton cultivation?
a) Alluvial soils
b) Red and Yellow soils
c) Black soils
d) Laterite soils
Answer: c) Black soils
- Peaty soils are formed due to:
a) Accumulation of partially decomposed plant matter
b) Intense leaching
c) High temperature and low rainfall
d) None of the above
Answer: a) Accumulation of partially decomposed plant matter
- Which soil type is known for its high water retention capacity and is suitable for paddy cultivation?
a) Alluvial soils
b) Black soils
c) Red and Yellow soils
d) Laterite soils
Answer: a) Alluvial soils
- Saline and alkaline soils are commonly found in which region of India?
a) Western Rajasthan
b) Coastal regions
c) Northeastern states
d) Himalayan region
Answer: a) Western Rajasthan
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What are the major soil types found in India?
The major soil types found in India are alluvial soils, black soils, red and yellow soils, laterite soils, mountain soils, arid soils, and peaty soils. These soils vary in their properties, formation processes, and distribution across different regions of the country.
What are the characteristics of alluvial soils?
Alluvial soils are formed by the deposition of sediments by rivers and are found primarily in the Indo-Gangetic plains. They are highly fertile, have good water retention capacity, and are suitable for various crops, including wheat, rice, and sugarcane.
Why are black soils important for agriculture?
Black soils, also known as regur or black cotton soils, are highly fertile and have high water retention capacity due to their high clay content. They are well-suited for cultivating cotton, wheat, millets, and certain oilseeds.
What are the factors responsible for the formation of laterite soils?
Laterite soils are formed due to intense leaching and high rainfall combined with high temperatures. They are found in areas with a tropical monsoon climate, such as the Western Ghats and parts of the Eastern Ghats.
How do saline and alkaline soils affect agriculture?
Saline and alkaline soils are characterized by high salt content, which can adversely affect plant growth and crop yields. These soils are commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions of India, such as parts of Rajasthan, and require careful management for successful cultivation.