J.K.K.

MUNIRAJAH COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

(Affiliated to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University)
SAC 201 SOIL RESOURCE INVENTORY (1+1)
II B.Sc (Agri) – 2017-18 batch - III Semester
Model Mid –semester questions – 2018
PART A
Choose the correct answer
1. Father of Modern pedology.
A) Dokuchaiev B) Kellogg
C) Marbut D) Baldwin
2. The smallest volume of soil is called as.
A) Polypedon B) Pedon
C) Soil profile D) Soil horizons

3. National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning located at

A) Bangalore B) Calcutta
C) Hyderabad D) Nagpur

4. The mode of origin of the solum from the parent material by the action of various soil
farming factors and processes
A) Soil genesis B) Petrology
C) Soil classification D) Petrography

5. The subordinate horizon with the alphabet “t” denotes

A) Accumulation of gypsum B) Accumulation of silicate clays
C) Accumulation of D) Accumulation of salts
carbonates
6. The soil order occurs under desert condition
A) Gelisol B) Andislo
C) Alfisol D) Aridisol
7. How many soil order are there?
A) 10 B) 12
C) 11 D) 13
8. In Tamil nadu, major portion is covered by
A) Laterite soil B) Red soil
C) Black soil D) Marshy soil

9. Soil zonality concept was introduced by

A) Marbut B) Coffey
C) Dokuchaiev D) Baldwin
10. Example for miscellaneous land types
A) Sand dunes B) Ravines
C) Gullies D) All the above
11. The variables in “Soil Munsell colour chart”
A) Hue B) Value
 C) Chroma D) All the above

12. The epipedon which consist of Manmade horizon upto 50 cm thickness

A) Argillic B) Natric
C) Plaggen D) Mollic

13. The base maps which show roads, track, streams, water source along with contour line
and physiographic features is called.

A) Cadastral maps B) Aerial photographs

C)
\
Toposheets D) IRS data
14. Grouping of soils based on their productivity for the purpose of taxtation.
A) Physical classification B) Gological classification
C) Economic classification D) Economic classification
15. What is the number of pedons examined for every two hectares in detailed soil survey?
A) 1-2 B) 3-5
C) 2-3 D) 5-7
Match the following

16. The area of pedon ranges from

A) 1-5m2 B) 1-10m2
C) 1-15m2 D) 1-12m2
17. Lowest and most specific category of soil taxonomy
A) Series B) Family
C) Order D) Sub group
18. The soils, time has been a limiting factor to produce horizonation
A) Azonal soils B) Intra zonal soils
C) Zonal soils D) None of these
19. Recently developed soil order with no diagnostic horizon
A) Entisols B) Aridsols
C) Histosols D) Oxisols
20. In India, the soil type with large land area.
A) Alluvial soil B) Red soil
C) Laterite soil D) Black soil

21. Soil solums comprise.

A) A+B+C B) A+B
C) O+A+B D) A+C
22. A Horizon is a
A) Illuvial horizon B) Organic horizon
C) Bed rock D) Elluvial horizon
23 Which is the dominant soil moisture regime in India
A) Udic B) Ustic
C) Xeric D) Aridic
24. What is the percentage of Mollic epipedons
A) Less than 50% B) More than 35%
C) More than 50% D) Less than 35%
25 Based on the scale of mapping, the map is calld as large scale maps.
A) 1:25,000 to 1:40,000 B) 1:50,000 to 1:2,50,000
C) 1:5000 and less D) 1:millions and above
26. Important Epipedons in the soils of India
A) Mollic,Ochric and B) Folistic, histic and melanic
Umbric
C) Anthropic,plaggen and D) Mollic, umbric and Ochric
grossarenic
27. Self ploughing ability found is which soil
A) Red soil B) Laterite soil
C) Prairie soil D) Black soil
28 Sodium clay enriched endopedon
A) Salic B) Calcic
C) Natric D) Gypsic
29. Out of the following soil order which one is referred as wood ash
A) Histosols B) Spodosols
C) Mollisols D) Alfisols
30. The maps with the scale of 1:50,000 to 1:2,50,000 is called as
A) Large scale maps B) Detailed scale maps
C) Small scale maps D) Mdium scale maps
Fill in the blanks
31. --------------is the systematic examination, description, classification and mapping soils
of an area
A) Soil science B) Soil survey
C) Soil association D) Soil type
32. Slicken sides and deep cracks can be noticed in ------------ soil order
A) Ultisol B) Aridsol
C) Alfisol D) Vertisol
33 ------------ Emphasized soil as an independent natural bodies and classified on the basis
of their own properties
A) Dokuchaiev B) Marbut
C) Coffey D) Baldwin
34. Pedocal is a group of soils with an accumulation ------------- in the lower part of solum
A) Iron oxide B) Aluminium oxide
C) Iron and aluminium oxide D) Calcium carbonate
35 Soil survey unit in the regional centres for Tamil nadu
A) Coimbatore B) Thoothukudi
C) Chennai D) Trichy
36. Citrus plantations in Punjab failed where a hard -------------horizon was observed in the
subsoil
A) Allic B) Calcic
C) Gallic D) Mollic

37. The -------------- soil survey is undertaken to prepare resource inventory of large areas
A) Detailed –Rconnainssance B) Detailed soil survey
soil survey
 C) Reconnaissance soil D) Semi- Detailed soil survey
survey
38 Royal commission on Agriculture was started at-----------------?
A) 1955 B) 1978
C) 1904 D) 1928
39. The diagnostic sub surface horizons are called as-------------------?
A) Endopedons B) Epipedons
C) Pedons D) Polypedons
40. --------------- is used to definite the central concept of great group in soil taxonomy.
A) Order B) Subgroup
C) Suborder D) Series

41 ---------------- Soils developed in situ from the underlying rocks.

A) Residual soils B) Sedentary soils
C) Transported soils D) Both A and B

42 ------------- is the epipedon like mollic with less than 50% of base saturation.
A) Umbric B) Ochric
C) Melanic D) Mollic

43 ---------------- is a subsoil layer of high bulk density and their air dry fragments
slake in water.
A) Fragipan B) Duripan
C) Placic D) Durinodes

44 Example of transitional horizon is --------------?

A) O B) AE
C) E D) I
45 A Horizon is a------------?
A) Illuvial horizon B) Organic horizon
C) Bed rock D) Elluvial horizon

Identify Correct/ Incorrect Statement

46) Identify the incorrect statement

A) Order is highest category of soil taxonomy
B) Subgroup is highest category of soil taxonomy
C) Suborders highest category of soil taxonomy
D) Great group is highest category of soil taxonomy

47) Identify the incorrect statement

A) Large scale maps show more details
B) Toposheets are used in reconnaissance soil survey
C) Cadastral maps show are used in deatailed soil survey
D) Cadastral maps are used in reconnaissance soil survey

48) Identify the incorrect statement

A) Black soils are most favourable for cultivation of cotton
 B) Swell shrink phenomena associated with black soils
C) Black soils are locally called as regur
D) Self ploughing ability found in red soil

49) Identify the correct statement

A) Base saturation percentage in mollisol is <50%
B) Base saturation percentage associated with black soils
C) Base saturation percentage in alfisol is >50%
D) Base saturation percentage in uitisol is <35%

50) Identify the correct statement

A) Vertical cross section of soil mounted separately for study purpose is called as
soil profile
B) Organic horizon Oe denotes organic matter slightly decomposed
C) Mapping unit consisting of more than three series are called as soil
complex
D) The symbol Igr denotes Thuraiyur series

51) Identify correct statement

A) Calcimorphic soils is an example for intrazonal soils

B) The pedalfer occur in areas of low rainfall
C) Groping of soils based on chemical property associated with economic
classification
D) Baldwin is the founder of modern pedology

52) Identify incorrect statement

A) The smallest volume that can be recognized as soil individual is pedon

B) Mapping unit classified based on environmental character of the soil series is
called as soil phase
C) For estabilishing soil series we should require a minium area of 200 acre
D) Group of pedons collectively called poly pedons

53) Identify incorrect statement

A) Mollic is one of the important epipedon in the soils of india

B) Mollic epipedon is a soft dark grassland soil
C) Mollic epipedon contains<50% base saturation
D) Mollic epipedon contains more than 1% organic matter

54) Identify correct statement

A) Freezing and thawing are the important process in gelisols

B) Well-developed soil horizon found in entisols
C) Slickensides and gilgai micro relief are common features of vertisols
D) Organic soil materials are rich in histosols

55) Identify incorrect statement

A) Comprehensive system of soil classification popularly known as7th

approximation
B) The subgroup is used to define the central concept of great groups
 C) Series is the lowest and most specific category of soil taxonomy
D) Dokuchaiev classified the soil as pedalfer and pedocal

56) Identify correct statement

A) Master horizons are A and B

B) Master horizons are A+B+C
C) Master horizons are O+A+B+C
D) Master horizons are O+A+B+C+R

57) Identify the correct statement

A) The subordinate horizon with the alphabet a denotes organic matter slightly
decomposed
B) The subordinate horizon with the alphabet a denotes organic matter intermediate
decomposed
C) The subordinate horizon with the alphabet a denotes organic matter highly
decomposed
D) The subordinate horizon with the alphabet a denotes no organic matter
intermediate decomposed

58) Identify the correct statement

A) The mapping unit soil type indicates surface texture of soil series
B) The mapping unit soil type indicates environmental character of soil series
C) The mapping unit soil phase indicates miscellaneous land types
D) The mapping unit soil phase indicates surface texture of soil series

59) Identify the correct statement

A) Gleyed horizons are the characteristic of ill-drained soils

B) Diagnostic surface horizons are called endopedons
C) Petrogypsic horizons is cemented by carbonates
D) Duripan is a surface horizon cemented by Al2O3

60) Identify the correct statement

A) Diagnostic subsurface horizon called as epipedon

B) Diagnostic subsurface horizon called as pedon
C) Diagnostic subsurface horizon called as endopedons
D) Diagnostic subsurface horizon called as polypedons

PART B
(Two mark questions)

Read the following passage and answer the questions (61-65)

61. Horizons or layers are studied in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. The
description of entire pedon or a sample within it, should record the kinds of layers, their depth and
thickness and the properties of each layer.
a) Master horizons --------------------?
A) A, E, B, C, D B) A, B, C, D
C) O, A, E, B, C, D D) A, B, C

b) ------------------------------formed at or near the surface with well mixed organic matter?

A) Mineral horizon B) Master horizon
C) Subordinate horizon D) Transitional horizon

c) Example of transitional horizons is-------------------------------?

A) O B) E
C) AE D) I

d) Accumulation of translocated clay as evidenced by clay coatings on ped faces is -------

A) Byhorizon B) Bz horizon
C) Bs horizon D) Bthorizon

Read the following passage and answer the questions (66-70)

62. Soil surveys are being conducted for diagnosing the nature and extent of distribution
of different soils, including normal and problem soils. Many soil and landform attributes such as
soil texture, depth, profile development, drainage, soil moisture and temperature regimes can be
observed and mapped. This survey comprises very detailed study of some selected crops cutting
across many physiographic units for developing correlation between physiographic units and soils.

a) ------------------soil survey is undertaken in priority areas, such as pilot projects, agricultural

research stations, micro-watersheds and areas in urban development.

A) Detailed - Reconnaissance soil survey B) Detailed soil survey

C) Reconnaissance soil survey D) Semi- Detailed soil survey
b) Rapid reconnaissance survey, field mapping is done at ----------------- or still smaller scale
using the satellite imagery.
A) 1: 20,000 to 1, 50000 B) 1: 200 to 1,500
C) 1: 1000000 D) 1: 2,000,000 to 1,500,000
c) This survey comprises very detailed study of some selected crops cutting across many
physiographic units for developing correlation between physiographic units and soils.
 A) Detailed soil survey B) Reconnainssance soil survey
C) Detailed - D) Semi- Detailed soil survey
Reconnainssance soil
survey
d) Detailed soil survey, the soils are examined at the intervals of --------------------?
A) 0.25-0.5km B) 0.5 -1km
C) 1-3km D) 3-6km

63. Soil survey is essentially a study and mapping of soils in their natural environment. It is a
systematic examination, description, classification and mapping of soils an area. It comprises
group of interlinked operations which includes from lab to farm. It is necessary to prepare an
inventory of this resource so that, optimum land use and conservation plans can be
developed.

a) Base map used for detailed soil survey

A) Toposheet B) Cadastral maps

B) Aerial photographs D) Satellite imagery

b) Detailed soil survey is used for
A) Regional planning B) Village /watershed planning
C) District planning D) Macro planning

c) What is the frequency of field observations in rapid reconnaissance soil survey?

A) 1/1000 ha B) 1/625 ha
C) 1/100 ha D) 1/25 ha

d) Soil survey used to prepare resource inventory of large area is

A) Detailed soil survey B) Reconnaissance soil survey
C) Semi detailed soil survey C) Free survey

64. Soils are series of natural bodies on the earth surface and are formed by interaction of soil
forming factors and process. Any natural object, having many variants, may not easy to
classify. Therefore, in order to understand differences, similarities and relationship amongst
its different members, it is necessary that they are groped in some orderly manner.

a) Classification of soils based on soil texture

A) Economic classification B) Chemical classification
C) Physical classification D) Geological classification

b) Morphogenetic system of soil classification was given by

A) Dokuchaiev B) Coffey
C) Marbut D) Baldwin and associates

c) Soils developed in-situ from the underlying rocks are called as

A) Residual soils B) Sedentary soils
C) Transported soils D) Both A and B

d) Three categories namely, normal, transitional and abnormal soils were given by
A) Dokuchaiev B) Marbut
C) Coffey D) Baldwin and associates
65. Like the flora and fauna, soils are classified in some systematic manner so as to remember
their properties and understand relationship. The Russian approach to soil classification is
naturally tended to emphasize on soil genesis and hence the term genetic system of soil
classification

a) First genetic system of soil classification was given by

A) Dokuchaiev B) Marbut
C) Coffey D) Baldwin and associates

b) Soils that have fully developed soil profiles are termed as

A) Zonal soils B) Azonal soils
C) Intrazonal soils D) Transitional soils

c) A new category, soil family was introduced between the great soil groups and soil series in
A) Dokuchaiev soil slassification B) Marbut soil classification
C) Coffey soil classification D) Baldwin and associate soil classification

d) Pedocal is a group of soils with an accumulation of------------- in the lower part of solum
A) Iron oxide B) Aluminium oxide
C) Iron and Aluminium oxide D) Calcium carbonates

66. Soil taxonomy is a system for classifying soils and is designed for improving
communication amongst soil scientist working at different places and amongst other users of
soils. It also serves as a correlation tool for soil survey

a) Category in which, the diagnostic horizons are used for the classification of soils is
A) Soil order B) Suborder
C) Great soil group D) Soil series

b) Lowest and most specific category of soil taxonomy is

A) Soil order B) Suborder
C) Great soil group D) Soil series

c) A new category, subgroup was introduced in

A) Soil taxonomy B) Marbut soil classification
C) Coffey’s soil classification D) Baldwin and associates soil classification

d) A category which is used for making practical predictions for land use planning of large
area
A) Soil order B) Soil family
C) Great soil group D) Soil series

67. Diagnostic horizons are intended to reflect genetic horizons widely occurring in soils
which are fairly well used to describe and define soil classes. A number of diagnostic
horizons have been defined in soil taxonomy. Based on their location in soil profiles, these
horizons have been divided into two categories, that is surface and subsurface.

a) A sandy horizon with 100 cm or more thickness over an argillic horizon is

A) Ochric epipedon B) Melanic epipedon
C) Plaggen epipedon C) Grassarenic epipedon

b) An epipedon with high organic matter content is found in

A) Histic B) Umbric
C) Anthropic D) Ochric
c) The epipedon which consists of man made horizon upto 50 cm thickness is
A) Argillic B) Natric
C) Plaggen D) Mollic

d) A mineral or organic subsurface horizon has a pH value of less than or equal to 3.5 is
A) Calcic B) Sulphuric
C) Natric D) Salic

68. Like plant and animals, soil does not have any distinct physical body, therefore, pedon
has been considered as a hypothetical soil body having minimum volume of soil to be
observable. The hypothetical soil profile contains various horizons.

a) A layer of soil approximately parallel to the soil surface produced by the soil forming
factors is called as
A) Pedon B) Polypedon
C) Soil horizon D) Soil profile

b) Soil horizons A, B and C are collectively called as

A) Soil pedon B) Soil regolith
C) Soil horizon D) Soil profile

c) Soil series occurring together in a regularly repeating geographic pattern are grouped into
A) Soil association B) Soil Complex
C) Soil type D) Soil family

d) Example(s) for miscellaneous land types(s) is/are

A) Sand dunes B) Ravines
C) Gullies D) All the above

69) A diagnostic horizon is one, which is formed as a result of pedogenic processes and
having distinct properties or features that can be described in terms of measurable soil
properties. It largely used for not only identifying soils but also in classifying soils at various
categoric levels, especially great groups. The diagnostic surface and subsurface horizons are
called epipedons and endopedons respectively.

a) ……….. is a subsoil layer of high bulk density and their air dry fragments slake in water

A) Fragipan B) Duripan
C) Durinodes D) Placic

b) A subsurface horizon enriched with Fe and Al oxides with the dominance of 1:1 type clay
minerals
A) Kandic horizon B) Oxic horizon
C) Glossic horizon D) Calcic horizon

c) An illuvial horizon enriched with secondary calcium and magnesium sulphate is

A) Calcic B) Spodic
C) Gypsic D) Salic

d) Diagnostic subsurface horizon formed due to illuvial accumulation of clay from the above
horizons is
A) Spodic horizon B) Agric horizon
C) Oxic horizon D) Argillic horizon
70. Soil moisture and temperature regimes control the evolution of soil and its utilization for
plant growth. Since these can be measured and quantified, they are used in classifying soils at
different categoric levels.

a) Which is the dominant soil moisture regime in India?

A) Udic B) Ustic
C) Xeric D) Aridic

b) Soil temperature regimes dominant in India are

A) Frigid and Mesic B) Mesic and Thermic
C) Thermic and Hyperthermic D) Hyperthermic and Megathermic

c) Temperature range that is important in determining the degree of biological, chemical

activities and physical processing going on soils is
A) 5-35oC B) 10-35oC
o
C) 15-40 C D) 20-35oC

d) The soil moisture regime has negligible moisture

A) Aquic B) Udic
C) Aridic D) Ustic