Q 1 – What is soil?
Ans. Answer: Soil is the mixture of rock debris and organic materials which develop on the earth’s surface. The various agents of weathering and gradation have acted upon the parent rock material to produce a thin layer of soil. Important components of the soil are mineral particles, humus, water and air. The actual amount of each of these depend upon the type of soil.
Q 2 – What are the main factors responsible for the formation of soil?
Ans. Relief, parent material, climate, vegetation and other life-forms and time are the important factors that affect formation of soil. Besides these, human activities also influence it to a large extent. For example, the laterite soils develop in areas with high temperature and high rainfall. Black soils are made from volcanoes. Forest soils are formed in the forest areas where sufficient rainfall is available. Peaty soils are found in the areas of heavy rainfall and high humidity, where there is a good growth of vegetation.
Q 3 – Mention the three horizons of a soil profile.
Ans. Three horizons of soil profile are:
- Horizon A: It is the topmost zone, where organic materials have got incorporated with the mineral matter, nutrients and water, which are necessary for the growth of plants.
- Horizon B: It is a transition zone between the ‘horizon A’ and ‘horizon C’, and contains matter derived from below as well as from above. It has some organic matter in it, although the mineral matter is noticeably weathered.
- Horizon C: It is composed of the loose parent material. This layer is the first stage in the soil formation process and eventually forms the above two layers.
Q 4 – What is soil degradation?
Ans. Soil degradation can be defined as the decline in soil fertility, when the nutritional status declines and depth of the soil goes down due to erosion and misuse. Soil degradation is the main factor leading to the depleting soil resource base in India.
The degree of soil degradation varies from place to place according to the topography, wind velocity and amount of the rainfall.
Q 5 – What is the difference between Khadar and Bhangar?
Ans.
| Basis | Bhangar | Khadar |
| Composition | It is a highland composed of old alluvium. | It’s a lowland composed of new alluvium. |
| Flood | It is always above the level of flood plains. | It is flooded almost every year. |
| Fertility | It comprises of canvanious nodules. | It comprises of clay soil which is normally fertile. |
| Suitability | It is not much suited for agriculture. | It is suited for agriculture. Intensive agriculture is practiced here. |
| Other name | It is known as dhaya in Punjab. | It is known as bate in Punjab. |
Q 6 – What are black soils? Describe their formation and characteristics.
Ans. Black soils are formed by volcanoes. These soils are also known as the ‘Regur Soil’ or the ‘Black Cotton Soil’. Features: The black soils are generally clayey, deep and impermeable.
They swell and become sticky when wet and shrink when dried. So, during the dry season, these soil develop wide cracks.
Thus, there occurs a kind of ‘self ploughing’. Because of this character of slow absorption and loss of moisture, the black soil retains the moisture for a very long time, which helps the crops, especially; the rain fed ones, to sustain even during the dry season.
Chemical Composition: Chemically, the black soils are rich in lime, iron, magnesia and alumina. They also contain potash. But they lack in phosphorous, nitrogen and organic matter. The colour of the soil ranges from deep black to grey.
Areas: Black soil covers most of the Deccan Plateau which includes parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Tamil Nadu. In the upper reaches of the Godavari and the Krishna, and the north western part of the Deccan Plateau, the black soil is very deep.
Q 7 – What is soil conservation? Suggest some measures to conserve soil.
Ans. Soil conservation is a methodology to maintain soil fertility, prevent soil erosion and exhaustion, and improve the degraded condition of the soil.
We can use following measures to conserve soils
- Check open cultivable lands on slopes from farming.
- Lands with a slope gradient of 15 – 25 per cent should not be used.
- If at all the land is to be used for agriculture, terraces should carefully be made.
- Contour bunding, Contour terracing, regulated forestry, controlled grazing, cover cropping, mixed farming and crop rotation to conserve soil.
- Integrated land use planning, therefore, seems to be the best technique for proper soil conservation.
- Lands should be classified according to their capability; land use maps should be prepared and lands should be put to right uses.
Q 8 – How do you know that a particular type of soil is fertile or not? Differentiate between naturally determined fertility and culturally induced fertility.
Ans. The fine-grained red and yellow soils are normally fertile, whereas coarse-grained soils found in dry upland areas are poor in fertility. They are generally poor in nitrogen, phosphorous and humus.
Some soils have phosphorus, potassium, humus, nitrogen and calcium naturally. It increases the fertility of these soils. Such fertility is called naturally determined fertility. On the other hand, if soil is deficient in these substances, such substances are added in the form of fertilizers and manures. If fertility of soil is increased through human efforts, such fertility is called culturally induced fertility.
Naturally determined fertility makes human dependent on nature. Culturally induced fertility indicates that man has become master of the nature. It is an indicator of development of human race. Soils are living systems. Like any other organism, they too develop and decay, get degraded, respond to proper treatmentif administered in time. A human being may be intelligent by birth or may be made intelligent by efforts. Similarly, soil may be fertile naturally and may be made fertile by human efforts. Former is called naturally determined fertility and the latter is called culturally induced fertility.
Q 9 – Collect various samples of soil and prepare a report on the type (s) of soils found in your region.
Ans. Attempt yourself.
Q 10 – On an outline map of India, mark the areas covered by the following soil categories.
(i) Red soil
(ii) Laterite soil
(iii) Alluvial soil.
Ans.
.
Q 11 – Mention physical features of soil.
Ans. In physical features of soil, important are colour, texture, composition, capacity to absorb moisture, erosion, depth, structure, slope of land and density.
Q 12 – What is a ravine?
Ans. Gullies deepen with rainfall, cut the agricultural lands into small fragments and make them unfit for cultivation. These are called ravines.
Q 13 – On which physical factors does fertility of soil depend?
Ans. Many physical factors affect fertility of soil. Size of particles, nature and composition, result of its holes, form and depth of soil, flow and storage of water depends on nature of soil. Composition of soil determine its ability to nurture the plants.
Q 14 – How is climate helpful in soil formation?
Ans. Climate especially rainfall plays an important role in soil formation. It determines the nature of weathering, amount of water absorption, particles of humus and types of micro organism.
Q 15 – How does topography affect the process of soil formation?
Ans. Slope determines the flow of water and soil erosion. Therefore, places of gentle slope have better soil development. Even fertility of soil depends on slope. It is so because steepness of slope reduces the rate of soil erosion.
Q 16 – In how many groups has Indian Agriculture Research Institute divided soils? Also name them.
Ans. On the basis of genesis, colour, composition and location, the soils of India have been classified into eight groups by Indian Agriculture Research Institute. These are:
- Alluvial soils
- Black soils
- Red and Yellow soils
- Laterite soils
- Arid soils
- Saline soils
- Peaty soils
- Forest soils.
Q 17 – What factors are responsible for soil erosion and degradation?
Ans. Running water, wind, snow, animals and human activities are responsible for soil erosion and degradation.
Q 18 – What are bad effects of soil erosion?
Ans. There are many bad effects of soil erosion. Some of these are: removal of fertile soil; sudden outflow of destructive floods, cut the agricultural lands into small fragments and make them unfit for cultivation, reduction in moisture of soil etc.
Q 19 – Why is saline soil infertile?
Ans. Saline soils are infertile because:
- They contain a larger proportion of sodium, potassium and magnesium, and
- They have more salts, largely because of dry climate and poor drainage.
Q 20 – Why is the colour of red and yellow soil red and yellow?
Ans. The soil develops a reddish colour due to a wide diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form.
Q 21 – On what basis has Indian Agriculture Research Institute divided soils?
Ans. Indian Agriculture Research Institute has classified Indian soils on the basis of genesis, colour, composition and location,
Q 22 – How is soil useful for us?
Ans. Soils nurture plants and animals. It is an important resource without which we cannot get our food.
Q 23 – Explain the features of alluvial soils.
Ans. Alluvial Soil:
- It is the most important type of soil found in India covering about 40 per cent of the total land area. It is very fertile and contributes to the largest share of agricultural wealth. This soil supports nearly half of the Indian population.
- The alluvial soils contain adequate potash, phosphoric acid and lime. Therefore, it is very fertile.
- They are generally deficient in organic and nitrogenous contents.
- The fine particles of sand, silt and clay are called alluvium. The alluvial soil can be divided into old alluvium, also called bhangar, and new alluvium, called khadar. Remember, the new alluvium can be about ten thousand years old.
- The old alluvium often contains lime nodules, known as kankar.
- The fertility of the alluvial soil varies from place to place. Due to its softness and fertility, alluvial soil is most suited to irrigation and can produce bumper crops of rice, wheat, maize, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, jute, oilseeds, etc.
Q 24 – Explain about the features of red and yellow soil.
Ans. The red and yellow soil occupies about 10 per cent area of India, mostly in the south-eastern part of the Peninsular India. This area encircles the entire black soil region. The red and yellow soil is found in Tamil Nadu, parts of Karnataka, south-east Maharashtra, eastern parts of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand.
- Most of the red and yellow soil has been formed due to weathering of igneous and metamorphic rocks.
- The red colour is due to the high percentage of iron contents.
- The texture of the red and yellow soil varies from sandy to clayey, and the majority being loamy.
- On the uplands, the red and yellow soil is thin, poor, and porous and has loose gravel.
- In the lower areas, the soil is deep, rich, fine grained and fertile.
- This soil is rich in potash, but poor in lime, phosphate, nitrogen and humus. With proper doses of fertilizers and irrigation the red and yellow soils can give excellent yields of cotton, wheat, rice, pulses, millets, tobacco, oilseeds, etc.
Q 25 – Explain about the features of peaty and humus soil.
Ans. Features:
- They are found in the areas of heavy rainfall and high humidity, where there is a good growth of vegetation.
- Large quantity of dead organic matter
accumulates in these areas, and this gives a rich humus and organic content to the soil. - Organic matter in these soils may go even up to 40-50 per cent.
- These soils are normally heavy and black in colour.
- At many places, they are alkaline also.
- It occurs widely in the northern part of Bihar, southern part of Uttaranchal and the coastal areas of West Bengal, Orissa and Tamil Nadu.
Q 26 – How has Indian Council Agricultural Research Institute classified soils?
Ans. ICAR has classified the soils of India into the following order as per the USD A soil taxonomy
| SI.No. | Order | Percentage |
| (i) | Inceptisols | 39.74 |
| (ii) | Entisols | 28.08 |
| (iii) | Alfisols | 13.55 |
| (iv) | Vertisols | 8.52 |
| (v) | Aridisols | 4.28 |
| (vi) | Ultisols | 2.51 |
| (vii) | Mollisols | 0.40 |
| (v) | Others | 2.92 |
| Total | 100.00 |
Q 27 – Explain about saline soils.
Ans. Saline soils contain a larger proportion of sodium, potassium and magnesium. Therefore, they are infertile, and do not support any vegetative growth. They are also known as Usara soils. They have more salts, largely because of dry climate and poor drainage. They occur in arid and semi-arid regions, and in waterlogged and swampy areas. They lack in nitrogen and calcium. Saline soils are more widespread in western Gujarat, deltas of the eastern coast and in Sunderban areas of West Bengal. In the Rann of Kuchchh, the South-west monsoon brings salt particles and deposits there as a crust. Seawater intrusions in the deltas promote the occurrence of saline soils.
Q 28 – Differentiate between
- Light soil and heavy soil
- Gentle slope and steep slope
- Soil erosion and soil degradation
Ans. .
| Basis | Light Soil | Heavy Soil |
| Meaning | Light soils contain a very high proportion of sand, which contains few plant nutrients. They easily dry out, when the surface layer is easily blown away. | Heavy soils are those with a large component of clay in them, because the clay particles bind together to form a heavy, sticky lump which is difficult to dig. |
| Water Content | Because it is composed of so many fine particles which stick together easily, it is liable to compaction. It holds a lot of water and easily becomes waterlogged, so it is cold and wet in spring, and takes a long time to warm up. | Light soils drain quickly and do not hold water. They are often acidic. Since these soils do not hold water, they are warm and dusty. |
| Improvement | Heavy clay soils can be improved by adding humus or other organic matter and sharp sand for better drainage. | Light soils can be improved by adding plenty of organic matter in the form of garden compost or farmyard manure to give body and encourage moisture retention. |
2.
| Basis | Gentle Slope | Steep Slope |
| Meaning | Slope of 5% of the land is called gentle slope. | Slope of 10% of the land is called steep slope. |
| Water logging | Steep slopes in the headwaters of drainage basins tend to generate more runoff than do lowland areas. Mountain areas tend to receive more precipitation overall because they force air to be lifted and cooled. | On gentle slopes, water may temporarily pond and later soak in. |
| Speed of water movement | On gentle slopes water tends to move slowly. Soils tend to be thicker, more infilteration can occur. | On steep mountainsides, water tends to move downward more rapidly. Soils tend to be thinner on steep slopes, limiting storage of water, and where bedrock is exposed, little infiltration can occur. |
3.
| Basis | Soil Erosion | Soil Degradation |
| Meaning | Destruction of soil cover is called soil erosion. | Soil degradation is decline in soil fertility when the nutritional status declines and depth of the soil goes down. |
| Causes | It happens’due to action of running water, wind, deforestation etc. | It happens as a result of soil erosion and misuse of land. |
| Remedies | Forestation, check open cultivable lands on slopes from farming, preventing over grazing, etc. | Lesser use of chemical fertilizers, land use planning, terrace farming, etc. |
Q 29 – Explain about the regions affected by soil erosion.
Ans. West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Delhi, Rajasthan and in many parts of the country soil erosion has been a big problem. In mountain regions, there is erosion due to over grazing. In Meghalaya and Nilgiri hills due to potato cultivation and in Himalaya region due to deforestation, soil erosion is increasing.
Wind erosion is significant in arid and semi-arid regions.
In regions with heavy rainfall and steep slopes, erosion by running water is more significant. Water erosion which is more serious and occurs extensively in different’ parts of India, takes place mainly in the form of sheet and gully erosion. Gully erosion is common on steep slopes. Ravines are widespread, in the Chambal basin. Besides this, they are also found in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The country is losing about 8,000 hectares of land to ravines every year.
Q 30 – Explain about causes responsible for soil erosion.
Ans. Following causes are responsible for soil erosion:
1. Human Activities: Human activities too are responsible for soil erosion to a great extent. As the human population increases, the demand on the land also increases. Forest and other natural vegetation is removed for human settlement, for cultivation, for grazing animals and for various other needs. Wind and water are powerful agents of soil erosion because of their ability to remove soil and transport it.
2. Deforestation: Deforestation is one of the major causes of soil erosion. Plants keep soils bound in locks of roots, and thus, prevent erosion. They also add humus to the soil by shedding leaves and twigs. Forests have been denuded practically in most parts of India but their effect on soil erosion are more in hilly parts of the country.
3. Wind and water: Wind erosion is significant in arid and semi-arid regions.
In regions with heavy rainfall and steep slopes, erosion by running water is more significant. Water erosion which is more serious and occurs extensively in different parts of India, takes place mainly in the form of sheet and gully erosion. Sheet erosion takes place on level lands after a heavy shower and the soil removal is not easily noticeable.
Q 31 – In India, fertility of soil is also destroyed by over irrigation. Explain.
Ans. A fairly large area of arable land in the irrigated zones of India is becoming saline because of over-irrigation.
- The salt lodged in the lower profiles of the soil comes up to the surface and destroys its fertility.
- Chemical fertilisers in the absence of organic manures are also harmful to the soil.
- Unless the soil gets enough humus, chemicals harden it and reduce its fertility in the long run. This problem is common in all the command areas of the river valley projects, which were the first beneficiaries of the Green Revolution.
- According to estimates, about half of the total land of India is under some degree of degradation.
Every year, India loses millions of tonnes of soil and its nutrients to the agents of its degradation, which adversely affects our national productivity. So, it is imperative to initiate immediate steps to reclaim and conserve soils.
Q 32 – Wind and water are two important agents of soil erosion. Explain.
Ans. Wind and water are powerful agents of soil erosion because of their ability to remove soil and transport it. Wind erosion is significant in arid and semi-arid regions. Erosion by running water is more significant in regions with heavy rainfall and steep slopes. Water erosion which is more serious and occurs extensively in different parts of India, takes place mainly in the form of sheet and gully erosion. Sheet erosion takes place on level lands after a heavy shower and the soil removal is not easily noticeable.
But it is harmful since it removes the finer and more fertile top soil. Gully erosion is common on steep slopes. Gullies deepen with rainfall, cut the agricultural lands into small fragments and make them unfit for cultivation. A region with a large number of deep gullies or ravines is called bad land topography. Ravines are widespread, in the Chambal basin. They are also found in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The country is losing about 8,000 hectares of land to ravines every year.
Q 33 – Explain about laterite soils.
Ans. The word ‘laterite’ has been derived from a Latin word ‘later’ meaning ‘brick’. The laterite soil is widely spread in India and is mainly found on the summits of the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Rajmahal Hills, Vindhyas, Satpuras and Malwa plateau. It’s well- developed in southern Maharashtra, and parts of Orissa, West Bengal, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, Assam and Meghalaya.
- The laterite soil is formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall with alternate wet and dry periods.
- Such climatic conditions promote leaching of soil. Leaching is a process in which heavy rains wash away the fertile part of the soil.
- The laterite soil is red in colour and composed of little clay and much gravel of red sandstones.
- Laterite soil generally is poor in lime and deficient in nitrogen. The phosphate contents are generally high.
Due to intensive leaching, the laterite j soil generally lacks fertility and is of low value for crop production. But when manured and timely irrigated, the soil is suitable for producing plantation crops like tea, coffee, rubber, coconut, areca nut, etc. It also provides valuable building materials.
Q 34 – Different regions exhibit different types of erosion. Substantiate.
Ans. It is right to say that different regions exhibit different types of erosion.
- Wind erosion is significant in arid and semi-arid regions.
- In regions with heavy rainfall and steep slopes, erosion by running water is more significant.
- Water erosion which is more serious and occurs extensively in different parts of India, takes place mainly in the form of sheet and gully erosion.
- Sheet erosion takes place on level lands after a heavy shower and the soil removal is not easily noticeable.
- Ravines are widespread, in the Chambal basin. Besides this, they are also found in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The country is losing about 8,000 hectares of land to ravines every year. .
Q 35 – What is soil made of?
Ans. Initially, all over the planet, small pieces of rock broke off mountains and fell, breaking into smaller pieces as they went, so that at the bottom of mountains, heaps of rocks, stones and dust formed. Plants were able to take root in this, and when these plants died and decayed they added to the pockets of soil. Eventually, much of the planet was covered with soil, its exact composition determined partly by the type of rock in the area and by the local weather conditions.
So, all soil is composed of small pieces of the local rock and decayed vegetable or animal matter. The rock particles are classified on the basis of their size:
1. Clay is the smallest particles of broken rock in soil, less than .0002mm in diameter, so it is a fine dust. When wet, the individual particles stick together to form a solid mass. When they dry, they can bake to a hard crust. Clay holds water which does not drain away.
2. Silt is slightly larger pieces of rock than clay. It is also soft and smooth, with individual pieces close together. It too holds a lot of water, but the slightly larger particles make it a little better at draining than clay. Silt is often found in river estauries because the fine particles are washed downstream and deposited when the water flows more slowly.
3. Sand is small pieces of rock (2mm to .05mm diameter) such as quartz or sandstone. Sand particles are large enough to allow water to drain easily, but they do not hold water and are easily blown around when dry.
4. Stones, rocks and boulders are larger pieces of rock which are too big to form part of the soil but are found in many gardens. Under the surface layer of soil, they can help drainage.
Q 36 – What kind of steps have been taken by Central Soil Conservation Board, set up by the Government of India?
Ans. The Central Soil Conservation Board, set up by the Government of India, has prepared a number of plans for soil conservation in different parts of the country.
- These plans are based on the climatic conditions, configuration of land and the social behaviour of people. Even these plans are fragmental in nature.
- Integrated land use planning is the best technique for proper soil conservation.
- Lands should be classified according to their capability; land use maps should be prepared and lands should be put to right uses.
- The final responsibility for achieving the conservation of land will rest on the people who operate on it and receive the benefits. .
Q 37 – Name the major factors in the formation of soils.
Ans. Parent material, relief, climate, vegetation and drainage.
Q 38 – Name the physical properties of the soil.
Ans. Size, shape and arrangement of particles, the volume and effective depth of the soil.
Q 39 – Why soil conservation is important?
Ans. Because it is the most important natural resource for plants, animals and human beings.
Q 40 – Define soil texture.
Ans. Soil texture is the arrangement and relationship of particles of the soil.
Q 41 – What does the black colour of the soil indicate?
Ans. It indicates the presence of rich organic matter in the soil.
Q 42 – What does ICAR stand for?
Ans. ICAR stands for Indian Council of Agricultural Research.