1. Black Soil
1. The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of :
(a) brown forest soil
(b) fissure volcanic rock
(c) granite and schist
(d) shale and limestone
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2021]
Ans. (b) fissure volcanic rock
- Black soil, also called ‘Regur soil’ was created from the breakdown of basaltic lava, which is found in the Deccan trap region in the northwest Deccan plateau.
- This soil is perfect for growing cotton.
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2. Black cotton soil is also known by which of the following?
(a) Banger
(b) Khadar
(c) Bhur
(d) Regur
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]
Ans. (d) Regur
- Black soil is a type of soil that is also called Regur soil.
- It is very mature and can hold a lot of water.
- When it gets dry, it will develop large cracks in it, which is a unique characteristic of this soil type.
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3. Regur soil is most widespread in –
(a) Maharashtra
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Andhra Pradesh
(d) Jharkhand
[44th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2000]
Ans. (a) Maharashtra
- This type of soil is most common in Maharashtra. Also, found in Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Godavari, and Krishna Valley.
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4. Assertion (A): The Regur soils of the Deccan Trap are black in colour.
Reason (R): They are rich in Humus.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Code :
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999]
Ans. (c) (A) is true, but (R) is false
- The Deccan Trap’s black soil is sometimes called Regur or Reguda.
- It’s great for growing cotton, but doesn’t have enough phosphorus, nitrogen, or humus.
- It does have a lot of alumina, iron, lime, magnesium carbonates, and potash.
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10. Which of the following is known as the “self-ploughed” soil of the country?
(a) Alluvial soil
(b) Lateritic soil
(c) Black cotton soils
(d) Desert soils
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2009]
Ans. (c) Black cotton soils
- Black Soil, or Regur Soil, or Black Cotton Soil is usually thick, deep and won’t let water through.
- When it is wet, it swells up and becomes gooey.
- When it’s dry, it shrinks and forms big cracks in the soil.
- This helps the soil to keep water for a long time, which is great for crops that don’t get much rain.
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11. Which of the following statements is NOT correct?
(a) Black soil is locally called ‘regur’
(b) According to Krabs, the regur soil is essentially a mature soil
(c) Black soils are highly retentive to moisture
(d) Black soil is found in the Himalayan region
[U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]
Ans. (d) Black soil is found in the Himalayan region
- The Black soil, also known as regur soil, is ideal for growing cotton due to its high clayey and iron content.
- It is mainly found in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.
- This type of soil is highly responsive to irrigation and holds moisture well.
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14. Lava soils are found in:
(a) Chhattisgarh plains
(b) Trans Saryu plains
(c) Malwa plateau
(d) Shillong Plateau
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1998]
Ans. (c) Malwa plateau
- The dark soil in western India is made of lava, so it is sometimes called Lava soil.
- The Malwa Plateau is part of the dark soil region of the Deccan trap.
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2. Laterite Soil
17. Which of the following statements is true regarding Laterite soil in India?
1. Laterite soil develops in areas with high temperatures and heavy rainfall.
2. Laterite soil is rich in humus and found in West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha.
(a) Only 2 is true
(b) Both 1 and 2 are true
(c) Both 1 and 2 are false
(d) Only 1 is true
[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]
Ans. (d) Only 1 is true
- Laterite soils are common in tropical climate areas that get wet and dry seasons.
- They form in places that are hot and have lots of rain.
- These soils are not very fertile because they don’t contain a lot of humus, nitrogen, or phosphorus.
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18. Which of the following statements regarding laterite soils of India are correct ?
1. They are generally red in colour
2. They are rich in nitrogen and potash.
3. They are well-developed in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
4. Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well on these soils.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 2 and 3 only
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2013]
Ans. (c) 1 and 4
- Laterite soil is reddish in color because of its high iron oxide content.
- It is usually low in nitrogen, lime, and humus, but high in iron and aluminum.
- It is mostly found in South Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Meghalaya.
- It is not usually suitable for growing crops, but tapioca and cashew nuts can grow well on it.
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19. Assertion (A): The percentage of net sown area in the total area of Andhra Pradesh is less as compared to the of West Bengal.
Reason (R): The soil of most of Andhra Pradesh is laterite.
Code :
(a) Both (A) and (R) are individually true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are individually true. but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) ‘A’ is true, but ‘R’ is false.
(d) ‘A’ is false, but ‘R’ is true.
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2006]
Ans. (c) ‘A’ is true, but ‘R’ is false.
- West Bengal has around 60% of its land used for sowing, while in Andhra Pradesh it is 40%.
- This makes statement (a) correct.
- Laterite soil is made in areas with heavy rain because of something called leaching.
- It is mostly found in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, South Maharashtra, parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Kerala, Jharkhand, Assam, and Meghalaya.
- In Andhra Pradesh, its common soil type is Red soil and Alluvial soil.
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20. Laterite soils are found in :
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Himachal Pradesh
(c) Punjab
(d) Maharashtra
[U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2006]
Ans. (d) Maharashtra
- Laterite soil is found in areas with hot temperatures and lots of rainfall that have wet and dry seasons.
- The wet and dry periods cause siliceous matter and lime to be removed from rocks, leaving behind soil that is rich in iron and aluminium compounds.
- This type of soil is found in India in places such as the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Kerala, Jharkhand, Assam and Meghalaya.
- It covers an area of 1.80 lakh sq km, with most of it in Maharashtra.
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21. Laterite soils are predominant in:
(a) Malabar Coastal Region
(b) Coromandel Coastal Region
(c) Bundelkhand
(d) Baghelkhand
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]
Ans. (a) Malabar Coastal Region
- Laterite soil is found in places with lots of rain, high temperatures, and wet and dry seasons.
- The changes between wet and dry times cause the silica and lime in rocks to wash away, leaving soil made of iron and aluminum compounds.
- This soil is not very fertile and is found in many places in India, with the most located in Kerala and Maharashtra.
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22. Which one of the following statements is not true for Laterite soils:
(a) They are the soils of the humid tropical regions.
(b) They are highly leached soils
(c) Their fertility is low
(d) They are rich in lime
[U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2001]
Ans. (d) They are rich in lime
- In areas with a lot of rain and hot temperatures, laterite soil is found.
- When the wet and dry seasons change, silica and lime from the rocks are washed away, leaving behind soil with iron and aluminum compounds.
- This soil is not very fertile and is found in parts of India such as the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, South Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Kerala, Jharkhand, Assam and Meghalaya.
- Laterite soil is most common in Maharashtra, followed by Kerala.
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23. Which one of the following soil types of India is rendered infertile by the presence of excess iron?
(a) Desert sand
(b) Alluvial
(c) Podzolic
(d) Lateritic
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (d) Lateritic
- The Laterite soil of India has a lot of iron in it, which makes it not able to grow things.
- All of the soils mentioned above have iron in them, but only the Laterite soil has too much.
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24. Which one of the following soils is deposited by rivers?
(a) Red soil
(b) Black soil
(c) Alluvial soil
(d) Lateritic soil
(e) None of the above / More than one of the above
[63rd B.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (c) Alluvial soil
- Soil that is found near rivers is made up of particles that have been washed away from the river.
- Alluvial soils are divided into two subclasses –
- New Alluvium or Khadar – It is deposited by floods annually, which enriches the soil by depositing fine silts.
- Older Alluvium or Bhangar – It represents a system of older alluvium, deposited away from the flood plains.
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3. Alluvial Soil
25. Which one of the following is the most productive soil in India?
(a) Red soil
(b) Black soil
(c) Alluvial soil
(d) Calcareous soil
[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]
Ans. (c) Alluvial soil
- Alluvial soil is the most fertile type of soil in India.
- It has a low amount of Nitrogen.
- This soil is mainly created from the sediments of the Himalayas and when the sea moves away.
- It covers an area of 11 lakh square kilometers.
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26. In India, the largest soil group is found as :
(a) Red Soil
(b) Black Soil
(c) Sandy Soil
(d) Alluvial Soil
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]
Ans. (d) Alluvial Soil
- Alluvial soil is the most important soil in India, covering 33.5% of the country.
- It is found in the Indo-Gangetic plain, the deltas of some rivers, and the Narmada and Tapi valleys.
- Geologically it is divided into Khadar and Bhangar soils.
- Black soils cover 5.46 lakh sq km and red soils cover 8.7 lakh sq km.
- This soil is responsible for the majority of India’s agricultural production.
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27. Which one of the following is the most widespread category of soils in India?
(a) Alluvial soils
(b) Black soils
(c) Red soils
(d) Forest soils
(e) None of the these
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (a) Alluvial soils
- Alluvial soil is the biggest and most important soil type in India.
- It covers 11 lakh sq km, which is 33.5% of the country’s land area, and is a major contributor to the nation’s agriculture.
- Alluvial soils are found in the Indo-Gangetic plain from Punjab in the west to West Bengal and Assam in the east, and in the deltas of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery.
- Along the coast, they are called coastal alluvium, and there are some in the Narmada and Tapi valleys.
- Black and red soils both cover vast areas, with black covering 5.46 lakh sq km and red occupying 8.7 lakh sq km.
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28. Old Kachhari clay of Gangetic plain is called
(a) Bhabar
(b) Bhangar
(c) Khadar
(d) Khondolyte
[41st B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1996]
Ans. (b) Bhangar
- The soil on the large plains of India is divided into two types: newer and older.
- The newer soil is called khadar and the older soil is called bhangar.
- Bhangar is found in areas that don’t get flooded and usually has a pale reddish-brown colour with calcium chunks in it.
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29. Which of the following types of soil has minimum water retention capacity?
(a) Alluvial Sand soil
(b) Loamy Sand soil
(c) Clayey Loam soil
(d) Loamy soil
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2003]
Ans. (a) Alluvial Sand soil
- Alluvial sand soil doesn’t hold onto water very well because sandy loam soil gets saturated quickly compared to clay loam, which can store more water.
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30. The water holding capacity of different types of soils decreases in the order :
(a) Clay > Silt > Sand
(b) Clay > Sand > Silt
(c) Sand > Silt > Clay
(d) Silt > Sand > Clay
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (a) Clay > Silt > Sand
- Clay soil holds the most water, followed by silt, and then sand holds the least.
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31. Consider the statements :
Assertion (A): Among various types of soils, clay retains the highest amount of water.
Reason (R): Clay has pore spaces of large size.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Codes :
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
- Clay has the most ability to keep water out of all types of soil, with sandy soil having the biggest gaps between particles and silt having smaller gaps.
- Clayey soil is the best at keeping water because it has the least amount of gaps.
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32. Which soil particles are present in loamy soils?
(a) Sand particles
(b) Clay particles
(c) Silt particles
(d) All types of particles
[53rd to 55th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (d) All types of particles
- Loam soil usually contains 40% sand, 40% clay and 20% silt. So, choice (d) would be the right answer.
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33. Choose the correct statement out of the four statements given regarding alluvial soil :
(a) This soil is found in about 14% portion of India’s land surface
(b) Phosphoric acid is found in rich quantity in this solid
(c) This soil is also known by names such as Reh, Thur, Chopan
(d) This soil is not fertile
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]
Ans. (b) Phosphoric acid is found in rich quantity in this solid
- Alluvial soils make up the largest part of the land area, covering 11,00,000 sq km or around 33.5%.
- These soils have lots of potash, phosphoric acid, and alkalis, but not much nitrogen.
- They are very fertile.
- Different regions have their own names for the salty soils, such as :
- Reh
- Thur
- Chopan
- Kallar
- Rakar
- Karl
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34. Which soil is predominantly found in the districts of Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and Champaran?
(a) Black soil
(b) Newer alluvium
(c) Older alluvium
(d) Red soil
(e) None of the above / More than one of the above
[63rd B.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (b) Newer alluvium
- In the Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and Champaran districts, recently formed soil (called khadar) can be found.
- It is created when the rivers Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Bagmati, etc. bring flood waters that deposit silt and debris.
- This soil helps grow crops such as rice, wheat, jute, and sugarcane.
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4. Soils: Miscellaneous Topics
35. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below :
| List – I (Soil) |
List – II (State) |
| A. Alluvial |
1. Rajasthan |
| B. Black |
2. Uttar Pradesh |
| C. Red |
3. Maharashtra |
| D. Desert |
4. Andhra Pradesh |
Code :
A B C D
(a) 1 4 3 2
(b) 2 3 4 1
(c) 4 2 1 3
(d) 3 4 2 1
[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2021]
Ans. (b) 2 3 4 1
- The correct match is as follows :
| (Soil) |
(State) |
| Alluvial |
Uttar Pradesh |
| Black |
Maharashtra |
| Red |
Andhra Pradesh |
| Desert |
Rajasthan |
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36. Soils of western Rajasthan have a high content of:
(a) Aluminum
(b) Calcium
(c) Nitrogen
(d) Phosphorus
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]
Ans. (b) Calcium
- The districts of western Rajasthan – Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Barmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Ganganagar, Sirohi, Jhunjhunu, Pali and Sikar – have soils with a lot of calcium in them.
- The soils are alkaline and salty and have a calcium base.
- The soil in western Rajasthan contains a lot of nitrate, which makes the calcium levels in the soil very high.
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37. Which one of the following crops enriches the Nitrogen content in soil?
(a) Potato
(b) Sorghum
(c) Sunflower
(d) Pea
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (d) Pea
- Legume plants can add nitrogen to the soil by collecting it from the atmosphere.
- Examples of legume plants are clover, soybeans, alfalfa, lupins, peanuts, and rooibos.
- Therefore, option (d) is the right answer.
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38. Which one of the following crops is grown to improve the soil fertility?
(a) Wheat
(b) Rice
(c) Black Gram (Urd)
(d) Sugarcane
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1996]
Ans. (c) Black Gram (Urd)
- Black Gram (Urd) is planted to make the soil more fertile. Sometimes, it is also given to animals to eat.
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39. When you travel to certain parts of India, you will notice red soil. What is the main reason for this color?
(a) Abundance of magnesium
(b) Accumulated humus
(c) Presence of ferric oxides
(d) Abundance of phosphates
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2010]
Ans. (c) Presence of ferric oxides
- The red soils were created from breaking down old rocks.
- They are low in lime, magnesium, phosphates, nitrogen, and humus, but contain a good amount of potash.
- They are mostly made up of silicon and aluminum, and the red color is due to the iron oxide present.
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40. The micronutrient maximum deficient in Indian soils, is
(a) Copper
(b) Iron
(c) Manganese
(d) Zinc
[U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2004]
Ans. (d) Zinc
- Zinc is the nutrient that is most lacking in Indian soils out of the choices given.
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41. Assertion (A): The Himalayan soils are rich in humus.
Reason (R): The Himalayas have the largest area under forest cover.
Code :
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2004]
Ans. (d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
- The soils in the Himalayas don’t have much humus, but they do have the most forest cover.
- So, Statement A is wrong but Statement R is correct.
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42. Karewas soils, which are useful for the cultivation of Zafran (a local variety of saffron), is found
(a) Kashmir Himalaya
(b) Garhwal Himalaya
(c) Nepal Himalaya
(d) Eastern Himalaya
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above
[64th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2018]
Ans. (a) Kashmir Himalaya
- Karewa soil is found in the Kashmir Valley and is used for growing the local type of saffron called Zafran.
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43. Soil water available to plants is maximum in :
(a) clay soil
(b) silty soil
(c) sandy soil
(d) loamy soil
[53rd to 55th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (a) clay soil
- Clay soil holds the most water, so plants are able to get the most water from it.
- Clay soil is made up of less than 50% silt, 50% clay, and some sand.
- The clay soil does not let air in as easily, which is why it is able to hold onto the water.
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44. Which one of the following particles has less than 0.002 mm diameter?
(a) Clay
(b) Silt
(c) Fine sand
(d) None of the above
[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (a) Clay
- The width of clay is smaller than 0.002 millimeters.
- Silt is between 0.002 and 0.06 millimeters wide, and fine sand is between 0.06 and 2 millimeters wide.
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5. Acidic and Alkali Soil
45. The following are the statements regarding the Usar soil:
1. It is reclaimed by adding lime.
2. This soil has pH more than seven.
3. Paddy crop can be grown in this soil.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Codes :
(a) 1 and 2 are correct
(b) 2 and 3 are correct
(c) only 3 is correct
(d) only 1 is correct
[U.P. B.E.O. (Pre) 2019]
Ans. (b) 2 and 3 are correct
- The pH of the Usar soil is more than 7 and it lacks bacteria, nitrogen, and zinc.
- Pyrites, gypsum, and green manure are used to treat it, and it is suitable for growing tolerant paddy varieties like Narendra Shankar Usar Paddy-1 and Usar Paddy-2.
- Lime is used to treat acidic soil, not Usar Soil, so option (b) is the correct answer.
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46. A fertile soil, suitable for growing common crops is likely to have a pH value of :
(a) Three
(b) Four
(c) Six to seven
(d) Nine to ten
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]
Ans. (c) Six to Seven
- The soil pH tells us how acidic or alkaline the soil is.
- If it’s below 7 it’s acidic, and if it’s above 7 it’s alkaline.
- This number affects many chemical processes in the soil and how available nutrients are for plants.
- Nutrients are most easily available for plants when the soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0.
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47. Which one of the following can be used to make acidic soil cultivable?
(a) Lime
(b) Gypsum
(c) Calcium
(d) Vegetable compost
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]
Ans. (a) Lime
- Lime is usually added to soil to make it suitable for growing crops.
- Too much alkalinity or acidity in soil is harmful and prevents regular crops from growing.
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48. The solution to the problem of soil salinity and alkalinity is :
(a) Dry farming method
(b) Use of Gypsum in the fields
(c) Afforestation
(d) Contour cultivation
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1996]
Ans. (b) Use of Gypsum in the fields
- Gypsum helps to make the soil less alkaline and get rid of the saltiness.
- It also needs one foot of water to wash away the soil.
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49. The long-term solution of soil salinity and alkalinity is the use of :
(a) Rock phosphate
(b) Gypsum
(c) Manure
(d) Urea
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1997]
Ans. (b) Gypsum
- Gypsum is used to make the soil less alkaline and get rid of the saltiness.
- It also needs one foot of water to wash away the soil.
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50. In India maximum alkali area is found in the State of
(a) Gujarat
(b) Haryana
(c) Punjab
(d) Uttar Pradesh
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007]
Ans. (d) Uttar Pradesh
- Research from the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute in Karnal shows that Gujarat has the saltiest soil in India.
- Soil affected by salt is classified as saline, alkali, and coastal saline.
- Uttar Pradesh has the largest area of alkali soil, which makes up 35.75% of the total alkali soil in India.
- The other five states that make up 80% of the alkali soil are :
- Gujarat
- Maharashtra
- Tamil Nadu
- Haryana
- Punjab
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51. In India, the largest area of Saline soil is found in the state of –
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Haryana
(c) Gujarat
(d) Maharashtra
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]
Ans. (c) Gujarat
- According to the report of Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) Karnal, Haryana, the distributions of saline soil area in hectares in the given States are as follows –
| State |
Saline soil |
Alkali soil |
Coastal saline soil |
Total |
| Uttar Pradesh |
21989 |
1346971 |
0000 |
1368960 |
| Haryana |
49157 |
183399 |
0000 |
232556 |
| Gujarat |
1218255 |
541430 |
462315 |
2222000 |
| Maharashtra |
177093 |
422670 |
6996 |
606759 |
|
52. Salinization occurs when the irrigation water accumulated in the soil evaporates, leaving behind salts and minerals. What are the effects of salinization on the irrigated land?
(a) It greatly increases the crop production
(b) It makes some soils impermeable
(c) It raises the groundwater level
(d) It fills the air spaces in the soil with water
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (b) It makes some soils impermeable
- In areas that are usually dry and require irrigation for plants to grow, the salts that are dissolved in the water tend to stay in the soil.
- With time, the amount of salt increases, which makes it hard for seeds to grow and for plants to develop, which leads to a decrease in crop production and eventually the soil becomes unusable.
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53. Which of the following soil is most suited for tea plantation?
(a) Acidic
(b) Alkaline
(c) Alluvial
(d) Regur
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2002]
Ans. (a) Acidic
- Tea needs special soil conditions to thrive, such as soil that is slightly acidic and without calcium.
- It needs a lot of rain for it to grow, but the water must not be stuck in the soil since this can be bad for the roots.
- That is why it is usually grown on hillsides where the water can easily drain away, but it can also grow in valleys as long as the drainage is good.
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6. Soil Erosion and Conservation
54. In which one of the following areas in India, the problem of soil erosion is critical?
(a) Malwa Plateau
(b) Foothill areas of Shivalik ranges
(c) Dandakaranya
(d) Meghalaya Plateau
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2004]
Ans. (b) Foothill areas of Shivalik ranges
- The maximum soil erosion-affected areas in India are given below :
- Barren land of Chambal and Yamuna rivers
- Foothill areas of the Western Himalayan Ranges (including foothill areas of the Shiwalik Ranges)
- Chotanagpur Plateau
- The area between Tapti and Sabarmati Valley (Malwa Plateau etc)
- Black soil area of Maharashtra
- Arid regions of Haryana, Rajasthan & Gujarat.
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55. Which one of the following areas is most affected by soil erosion in India?
(a) Malwa Plateau
(b) Tarai area of Uttar Pradesh
(c) Coastal area of Andhra
(d) Chambal valley
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004]
Ans. (d) Chambal Valley
- The maximum soil erosion-affected areas in India are given below :
- Barren land of Chambal and Yamuna rivers
- Foothill areas of the Western Himalayan Ranges (including foothill areas of the Shiwalik Ranges)
- Chotanagpur Plateau
- The area between Tapti and Sabarmati Valley (Malwa Plateau etc)
- Black soil area of Maharashtra
- Arid regions of Haryana, Rajasthan & Gujarat.
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56. The largest area under salt-affected soils exists in the State of
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Rajasthan
(c) Gujarat
(d) Andhra Pradesh
[U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]
Ans. (c) Gujarat
- Gujarat has the most land covered in salty soil, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.
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57. Which among the following districts of Madhya Pradesh has a problem of soil erosion –
(a) Jabalpur
(b) Bhopal
(c) Morena
(d) Khandwa
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (c) Morena
- In Madhya Pradesh, the Chambal Valley is plagued by soil erosion.
- The area has lots of channels, called Chambal ravines, made of soft and alluvial soil.
- The rivers in the region have made the land in Morena, Bhind, Gwalior and Shivpuri barren and infertile due to gully erosion.
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58. Which one of the following types of erosion is responsible for the formation of Chambal Ravines?
(a) Splash
(b) Sheet
(c) Rill
(d) Gully
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (d) Gully
- When looking at the map of soil erosion in India, it’s clear that Gully Erosion caused the Chambal Ravines to form.
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59. Identify the correct order of the process of soil erosion from the following:
(a) Splash erosion, Sheet erosion, Rill erosion, Gully erosion
(b) Sheet erosion, Splash erosion, Gully erosion, Rill erosion,
(c) Rill erosion, Gully erosion, Sheet erosion, Splash erosion
(d) Gully erosion, Rill erosion, Sheet erosion, Splash erosion
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2001]
Ans. (a) Splash erosion, Sheet erosion, Rill erosion, Gully erosion
- The correct order of the process of soil erosion is given below:
- Raindrop or Splash erosion : Splash erosion happens when raindrops hit the soil surface and break down the small pieces of earth, causing it to erode.
- Sheet erosion : Sheet erosion is when a thin layer of dirt is taken away from the ground, usually by the wind. It is more likely to happen when the soil on the surface is loose and not very deep.
- Rill erosion: Water erosion that makes lots of tiny, straight lines in the ground. These lines will eventually disappear with regular use of the land, but they can be removed with normal farming activities.
- Gully erosion : Gullies are created by water washing away the soil in a series of small channels that are not monitored.
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60. Farmland tends to erode most rapidly when planted with:
(a) Sorghum
(b) Potato
(c) Wheat
(d) Clover
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (a) Sorghum
- The World Wildlife Fund has studied the different types of crops and found that growing sorghum causes the most soil erosion, while clover causes the least.
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61. Which of the following is not a correct method to attain soil fertility?
(a) Crop rotation
(b) Mixed cultivation
(c) Seed modification
(d) Multiple cropping
[M.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 1991]
Ans. (c) Seed modification
- Changing the way seeds are grown will affect how much crops are produced, but it won’t have an effect on soil fertility.
- To make soil healthier, you can use crop rotation, mixed cultivation, and multiple cropping techniques.
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62. The rotation of crops is essential for –
(a) Increasing protein content in plants
(b) Getting different crops
(c) Increasing soil fertility
(d) Maintaining soil moisture
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]
Ans. (c) Increasing soil fertility
- Crop rotation means planting different crops in the same area in different times of the year.
- This is done because if the same crop is grown in the same spot, the soil will eventually run out of the nutrients needed for the plant to grow.
- Rotating crops helps keep the soil fertile and can also help get rid of pests.
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63. With reference to soil conservation, consider the following practices :
1. Crop rotation 2. Sand fences
3. Terracing 4. Windbreaks
Which of the above are considered appropriate methods for soil conservation in India?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2010]
Ans. (c) 1, 3 and 4
- The best way to protect soil is to use crop rotation, terracing, and windbreaks.
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64. In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?
1. Terrace cultivation
2. Deforestation
3. Tropical climate
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2014]
Ans. (b) 2 only
- Soil erosion describes the destruction of soil cover.
- Usually, there is a balance between soil-forming and erosional processes like running water and wind.
- However, this balance can be thrown off by natural or human factors which cause more soil to be removed.
- Deforestation is one of the biggest reasons for soil erosion since plants provide a barrier to erosion with their roots.
- To help prevent soil erosion, terrace farming is used.
- The tropical climate does not have anything to do with soil erosion.
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65. Soil erosion can be checked by
(a) Excess grazing
(b) Removal of plants
(c) Afforestation
(d) Increasing number of birds
[40th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1995]
Ans. (c) Afforestation
- Soil conservation is the practice of preventing soil erosion and preserving soil fertility.
- Some practical ways to do this are planting trees, plowing fields in a specific way, and not practicing shifting cultivation.
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66. Which of the following practices can help in water conservation in agriculture?
1. Reduced zero tillage of the land
2. Applying gypsum before irrigating the field
3. Allowing crop residue to remain in the field
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Farming without disturbing the soil through tillage is called reduced or zero tillage.
- This helps to conserve soil moisture.
- Gypsum helps dissolve salt clay pans in the soil which makes irrigation more efficient.
- When crop residue is left in the field, it reduces the amount of water that evaporates from the soil.
- All of these statements are correct.
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