SOIL SCIENCE

DIRECTION: Encircle the letter of the best answer from the choices given.
1. The original source of most organic matter in soil is
a. plant residues.
b. bodies of dead animals and insects
c. soil inhabiting microorganisms
d. rocks
2. The most abundant gas in the soil atmosphere is:
a. CO2 c. N2 .
b. O2 d. A
3. A soil horizon is defined as:
a. the depth of finely divided soil mineral over bed rock
b. a soil layer that differs in recognizable properties from other layers immediately above or
below.
c. the slope of the soil surface relative to the horizon
d. any of the above
4. An example of physical weathering process is
a. exfoliation. c. hydration
b. solution d. oxidation
5. A civil engineer is a:
a. edaphologist c. petrologist
b. pedologist. d. anthropologist
6. The study of rock is:
a. mineralogy c. petrology.
b. rockology d. hydrology
7. The molten mass from where igneous rocks solidify from is:
a. core c. mantle
b. magma. d. soil
8. Metamorphosis is caused by:
a. high pressure and temperature. c. erosion
b. floods d. earthquake
9. The parent material corresponds to horizon:
a. AB c. D.
b. C d. ABCD
10. The true soil corresponds to horizon:
a. C c. ABC
b. AB. d. ABCD
11. A lowland paddy soil possess:
a. ABC Horizon c. AB Horizon
b. oxidized and reduced layers. d. OABC
12. An organic soil is most likely having % OM of
a. 1 c. 25.
b. 5 d. 0
13. The mineral supplying P is:
a. feldspar c. talc
b. apatite. d. pyrite
14. Tourmaline supplies the element
 a. Mn c. Ca
b. B. d. N
15. Resistance of a mineral to abrasion is
a. luster c. hardness.
b. specific gravity d. cleavage
16. The softness mineral is
a. diamond c. quartz
b. talc. d. apatie
17. The hardest mineral is
a. diamond. c. quartz
b. talc d. apatite
18. This mineral is hardly soluble in water
a. talc c. gypsum
b. quartz. d. fluorite
19. This is not an element of climate
a. relief . c. temperature
b. precipitation d. sunshine
20. Parent material deposited in lakes is
a. alluvium c. marine
b. lacustrine. d. tuff
21. The soil profile is found in the
a. core c. crust.
b. mantle d. Moho layer
22. The most abundant elements in the earths crusts are
a. Fe, AL, Mn, N, P c. N, P, K, Ca, Mg
b. O, Si, Al, Fe, Ca. d. C, H, O, N, P
23. Secondary mineral include
a. montmorillonite. c. feldspar
b. quartz d. diamond
24. This is not a soil forming factor
a. climate c. soil color.
b. organism d. time
25. The basic elements lost in weathering are
a. Fe, Al c. Zn, Mn
b. Ca, Mg. d. C, H
26. The main objective of physical weathering is
a. increase total surface area for chemical weathering.
b. weaken rock by removal of bases
c. produce clay
d. leach bases
27. The two soil forming factors that normally show the greatest variation from one geographic region
to another are:
a. topography and parent material. c. climate and vegetation
b. topography d. time and relief
28. Parent material that has formed by weathering of bedrock in place is:

a. transported c. colluvial
b. residual. d. alluvial
29. One of the most variable soil components is;
a. mineral matter c. soil water.
b. organic matter d. sand
30. Of the following minerals, the one that expands on wetting is;
a. muscovite c. montmorillonite.
b. illite d. kaolinite
31. Felspar minerals that are most easily weathered by chemical means tend to be high in the element:
a. K c. Ca.
b. Na d. P
32. Basalt weathers more easily than granite, this difference being explained most readily by difference
in:
a. mineralogy c. both a and b.
b. texture d. color
33. The dark color of igneous rocks is usually caused by:
a. quartz c. caltite
b. feldspar d. ferromagnesian minerals.
34. The chemical element in dolomite that is not an important constituents of calcite is:
a. Mg. c. C
b. Ca d. O
35. The primary mineral most likely to accumulate at the site of chemical weathering of granite is:
a. mica c. quartz.
b. muscovite d. clay
36. Soil textual classes are defined in terms of ranges in variation in:
a. structure c. texture.
b. weathering d. drainage
37. The physical state of the soil as relates to plant growth is known as soil:
a. texture c. tilth.
b. consistency d. structure
38. The sedimentary rock that contains clay minerals as one of its more important constituents is:
a. shale. c. sandstone
b. limestone d. slate
39. The percent moisture of a moist soil sample that weighs 12.5 g originally and 10g after oven drying
is:
a. 12.5 c. 25.
b. 10 d. 22.5
40. The force that determines the height to which water will rise in a vertical capillary tube:
a. surface tension. c. infiltration
b. capillarity d. capillary fringe
41. The entry of surface applied water into soil is known as:
a. infiltration. c. seepage
b. percolation d. erosion
42. The zone of saturated soil where water is held under sanction immediately above the water table is
known as:
a. water table c. capillary fringe.
b. spring d. capillary
43. The acidity of rainwater is largely due to the gas:
a. CO2 . c. SO3
b. NO3 d. H
44. Which does not relate to CEC?
a. amount of clay c. kind of clay
b. amount of Om d. bulk density.
45. This ion is adsorbed with the least force to soil particles:
a. NA. c. H
b. Ca d. Al
46. The soil depth from which plants obtain the major part of the water absorbed as turned:
a. effective-rooting depth of plant. c. profile
b. solum d. rhizosphere
47. The consumptive use of water is defined as that quantity of water in the production of a crop by the
process of:
a. transpiration c. evapotranspiration.
b. evaporation d. water use efficiency
48. Porosity, which is the total pore-space volume of soils:
a. is highest in fine-textured soils.
b. is highest in coarse-textured soils
c. varies little with differences in texture
d. is same for all soil
49. The hydraulic pressure of water held in the soil by capillary forces of attraction is:
a. zero c. negative.
b. positive d. 10, 000
50. Soil sanction in a saturated zone beneath a water table is:
a. greater than zero c. less than zero
b. zero. d. 10,000
51. In magnitude and algebraic sign, the matric potential of soil water is equal to;
a. negative hydraulic pressure. c. soil water tension
b. soil suction d. positive hydraulic pressure
52. Plant wilting commences when:
a. water flow into roots stops
b. water flow into roots drops below transpirational loss.
c. water starts flowing from roots back into the soil
d. soil is at field capacity
53. Where a complete cloud cover is present the component of solar radiation that is of maximum
intensity at ground level is:
a. light . c. ultraviolet
b. infrared d. far red
54. The exchange of energy in radiant from between the soil and the atmosphere goes on:
a. only during daylight hours c. continuously.
b. only during night d. only during cloudy day
55. Maximum daily variation in temperature at the surface of the ground normally occurs where:
a. both the soil and air above are dry.
b. both the soil and air above are moist
c. the soil is dry but the air above is moist
d. soil is wet
56. In addition to hydrogen, the cation that normally tends to increase in exchangeable form with
increasing soil acidity is;
a. aluminum. c. ammonium
b. calcium d. magnesium
57. The cation exchange capacity of a sol is a measure of
a. the force of bonding between the soil and exchangeable cations
b. the negative charge of the soil neutralized by easily replaceable cations.
c. the speed with which ions added to the soil solution become adsorbed on soil particle
surfaces
d. acidity
58. Of the following, the material with the highest cation-exchange capacity is:
a. vermiculite c. organic matter.
b. montmorillonite d. kaolinite
59. A soil has a cation capacity of 10me per 100g and the following compliment of exchangeable cations,
the amounts being expressed in millequivalents per 100g of soil: Hz, 3.0 Ca, 2.0 Al, 3.0 Mg, 1.0 Na, 0.25
and K, 0.75. The percent base saturation of this soil is:
a. 10 c. 70
b. 40. d. 50
60. In slightly acid soils, such as in those with pH between 6.0 and 7.0 the two most abundant cations
will probably be:
a. calcium and magnesium. c. potassium and sodium
b. hydrogen and aluminum d. iron and manganese
61. An illuvial horizon in a soil is designed by the symbol:
a. A1 c. B2 .
b. A2 d. O2
62. A parent material that often has the same origin as losses but is separated from the losses by the
action of wind is;
a. colluvium c. dune sand.
b. volcanic ash d. lahar
63. The removal of excess water from a waterlogged soil depends on
a. a difference in soil suction c. atmospheric pressure
b. the force of gravity. d. temperature
64. CEC is 20 m.e./100g. If it has 8 m.e. H and the remaining cations are bases, what is the % BS?
a. 80 c. 60.
b. 40 d. 50
65. During the dry season plant roots are naturally supplied with water through
a. infiltration c. percolation
b. capillarity. d. leaching
66. Which soil property is not influenced by OM?
a. bulk density c. structure
b. texture. d. color
67. Which is the seat of chemical activities in the soil?
a. sand c. colloid.
b. salt d. clay
68. Which has the highest pH dependent negative charges?
a. OM . c. montmorillonite
b. illite d. kaolinite
69. Ten m.e. of Ca (40) can replace how many m.e. of H in the exchange complex?
a. 0.2 c. 20
b. 1 d. 10.
70. The soil contains 10 m.e. Ca/100g. This is equivalent to how many tons Ca per HFS?
a. 4. c. 10
 b. 40 d. 200
71. One m.e. Ca/100g soil is equivalent to how many ppm Ca? At. Wt. Ca=40
a. 400 c. 200.
b. 40 d. 80
72. The dominant basic cation in agricultural soil is
a. Na c. Mg
b. K d. Ca.
73. A loam soil has
a. macropores>micropores c. micropores=macroporees.
b. macropores<microporees d. zero pore spaces
74. A submerged soil has
a. all pores filled with water. c. macropores filled with air
b. macropores filled with water d. micropores filled with air
75. Under conditions of high rainfall and humidity the least leached cation is
a. Al. c. Mg
b. Ca d. Na
76. At the same level of OM which will have the highest water holding capacity?
a. loamy sand c. clay.
b. clay loam d. sandy loam
77. The capability of the soil being molded by hands is
a. stickiness c. tilth
b. plasticity. d. cracking
78. If a ring without crack is formed in the roll method of determining texture the texture is most likely:
a. loamy sand c. clay.
b. clay loam d. sandy loam
79. The hydrometer and pipette method of mechanical analysis obey the:
a. Dick’s Law c. Ohm’s Law
b. Freundlick’s Law d. Stokess Law.
80. This is used in determining soil color:
a. color wheel c. Munsell color chart.
b. LCC d. Mohs’ scale
81. The hardest mineral is
a. quartz c. apatite
b. talc. d. Potassium
82. Which among these minerals does not contribute any soil nutrient?
a. quartz. c. apatite
b. talc d. calcite
83. Aside from carbon and hydrogen, the outer macro-element constituents of organic compound in the
plant is
a. Oxygen. c. Potassium
b. Nitrogen d. Calcium
84. This macro-element is a component of protein and chlorophyll and is the most limiting element in
crop production except for legumes
a. Nitrogen. c. Potassium
b. Phosphorous d. Calcium
85. This macronutrient is involved in energy storage in the plant and is a constituent of phospholipids,
nucleoproteins, and phyuns and is deficient in acid upland soil.
a. Nitrogen c. Potassium
 b. Phosphorus. d. Calcium
86. This macronutrient is not a component of any organic molecule in the plant, its function is more
catalytic in nature and usually deficient in coarse-textures soils.
a. Nitrogen c. Phosphorus
b. Potassium. d. Calcium
87. This macronutrient is a part of the middle lamella, and is deficient in acid upland soil.
a. Nitrogen c. Calcium
b. Potassium d. Magnesium.
88. This macronutrient is a metal component of chlorophyll and is deficient in acid upland soil
a. Nitrogen c. Magnesium.
b. Calcium d. Copper
89. This macronutrient is a component of amino acids such as methionine, cystein and cystine and is
usually deficient in waterlogged soils.
a. Sulfur. c. Magnesium
b. Calcium d. Copper
90. This micronutrient is needed in chlorophyll synthesis and usually deficient in alkaline soil
a. Iron . c. Molybdenum
b. Zinc d. Boron
91. This micronutrient is needed in the synthesis of auxin and is usually deficient in waterlogged soils
a. Iron c. Molybdenum
b. Zinc . d. Copper
92. This micronutrient is needed in nitrogen fixation by leguminous plant and is usually deficient in acid
upland soil
a. Zinc c. Iron
b. Molybdenum. d. Manganese
93. In a very extremely acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.0), these elements are toxic to plants except
a. aluminum c. iron
b. calcium. d. manganese
94. Which of the following elements is not essential to plant growth?
a. nitrogen c. copper
b. molybdenum d. aluminum.
95. This is a substance produced by one organism which inhibits growth of other organisms
a. pesticide c. antigen
b. antibiotic. d. antibody
96. The most dominant soil microflora are
a. insects c. algae
b. bacteria. d. fungi
97. The root-nodulating rhizobium that is ineffective on tropical legumes is
a. Azorhizobium c. Rhizobium
b. Bradyrhizobium. d. Azospirillium
98. The iron-containing substance found in legume nodules is
a. carotenoid c. leghemoglobin.
b. auxin d. xanthophylls
99. The seat of N2 fixation in symbiotic system is
a. nodule. c. root
b. leaves d. stem
100. The soil microflora with the highest biomass are
a. bacteria. c. algae
 b. actinomycetes d. fungi
101. The stable product of organic matter decompositions is
a. humus. c. cellulose
b. lignin d. hemicellulose
102. Indirect utilization of molecular nitrogen is
a. symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
b. non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation
c. Haber-Bosch process of immobilization
d. VAM
103. This is not a biological process
a. volatilization . c. mineralization
b. nitrogen fixation d. nitrification
104. This N transformation is an acidifying process
a. denitrification c. nitrification.
b. nitrogen fixation d. volatilization
105. Association between plant root and fungi is known as
a. Lichen c. Competition
b. Symbiosis d. Mycorrhiza.
106. One organism inhibits or suppresses growth of other organism is a kind of
a. Symbiosis c. Neutralism
b. Parasitism. d. Predation
107. Rhizobium-legume association is an example of
a. Mutualism c. Predation
b. Neutralism d. Symbiosis.
108. Microorganisms that are most active in the decay of organic substances in soils are
a. Autotrophs c. Anearobes
b. Aerobes. d. Phototrophs
109. Once a soil has been placed under cultivation, its organic matter content usually
a. increases c. remains relatively unchanged
b. decreases. d. all of the above
110. Nitrogen is the most limiting element in crop production, except for legumes. The available form of
nitrogen is
a. Organic matter c. Ammonium
b. Nitrate d. Both b and c.
111. The capacity of the soil to supply nutrient elements in right amount and correct proportion
a. availability c. soil productivity
b. soil fertility. d. rate of reproduction
112. Nutrient deficiency symptoms is referred as the language of the crop. What is the term used to
describe general yellowing of leaves as a result of deficiency of some nutrient element?
a. Necrotic c. Plasmolysis
b. Chlorosis. d. Defective
113. The deficiency symptoms of mobile elements in the plant like k are manifested at the older leaves
while the deficiency symptoms of immobile elements like
a. N
b. Mg
c. Ca.
d. S are observed at the young leaves
114. The Maligaya series which was developed from recent alluvium is generally adequate in P and
exchangeable bases such as Ca, Mg, K and Na but deficient in
a. Nitrogen. c. boron
b. zinc d. copper
115. A well drained soil subject to excessive leaching of the basic cations are acidic and are deficient
with P, Ca, Mg and Mo while lowland rice soils that are poorly drained and waterglogged are deficient
with these elements
a. N and K c. Zn and Ca
b. Zn and S. d. Ca and Mg
116. Deficiency indicates low level of nutrient elements while this term indicates excessive level of
nutrient elements in the plant or soil
a. Sufficiency c. Hidden hunger
b. Toxicity. d. Poverty adjustment
117. A problem usually found in upland areas with high rainfall characterized by very low pH values
a. Acid. c. Alkaline
b. Saline d. Pest
118. A problem soil usually found in coastal areas characterized by excessive amount of salts in the soil
solution
a. Acid c. Alkaline
b. Saline. d. Pest
119. Problem soil usually found in low-lying waterlogged areas characterized by the accumulation of
organic matter is
a. acid c. alkaline
b. saline d. peat.
120. A problem soil usually found in low-lying areas mining area characterized by excessive amount of
heavy metals
a. mine-tailing affected soil. c. saline
b. peat d. saline-sodic
121. There are sixteen (16) essential elements needed by plants for normal growth and development.
How many of these essential elements are derived form the soil
a. 13. c. 11
b. 12 d. 10
122. Some nutrient elements are not essential but are beneficial. Identify the nutrient element
beneficial to the rice plant.
a. nitrogen c. Manganese
b. Silicon. d. Nitrogen
123. The chlorophyll molecule is composed of four (4) essential elements. Identify the metallic element
in the chlorophyll molecule.
a. Carbon c. Manganese.
b. Hydrogen d. Nitrogen
124. The nutrient element in organic matter and minerals are considered unavailable. The most
available from the nutrient elements are in
a. soil solution. c. fixed
b. exchangeable d. occluded
125. The terms below are factors affecting nutrient availability except for one. Identify this term
a. capacity c. intensity
b. weathering. d. rate of replenishment
126. All these processes contribute in the decline in soil fertility, except this process
 a. crop removal c. green manuring.
b. soil erosion and run-off d. fixation
127. One of these process does not result in the loss of nitrogen from the soil
a. mineralization. c. dentrification
b. volatilization d. leaching
128. The most accurate method of assessing soil fertility
a. nutrient deficiency symptom c. plant analysis
b. field experiment. d. soil analysis
129. Which does not belong to the group of words.
a. ammonium sulfate c. ammonium chloride
b. urea . d. ammonium nitrate
130. Which does not belong to the group of words.
a. guano c. urea.
b. night soil d. chicken dung
131. Flooding acid soils improves the availability of P and decreases solubility of aluminum, iron, and
manganese. This phenomenon is refereed to as “self-liming effect”. The increase in the availability of
nutrient elements in acid soil by flooding is due to
a. increase in soil pH. c. increase microbial activities
b. decrease in soil pH d. increase rate of mineralization
132. Continuous flooding such as in waterlogged lowland rice soils causes reduction of soils which
decrease the availability of these essential elements
a. N, P, K c. Ca, Mg, and S
b. Zn, S and Cu. d. Mo, Mn and Cu
133. One practical soil management practice to improve availability of Zn and s in waterlogged lowland
rice soils is
a. Alternate wetting and drying. c. Application of organic fertilizer
b. Continuous flooding d. Application of inorganic fertilizer
134. Soil microorganism are responsible for the decomposition of soil organic matter. The process of
conversion from organic form of nutrient elements to inorganic form is termed
a. Mineralization. c. Vernalization
b. Immobolization d. Denitrification
135. The minimum guarantee of a fertilizer material in terms of percent nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium is referred as
a. fertilizer rates c. fertilizer ratio
b. fertilizer grade. d. filter
136. The advantage of organic fertilizer over inorganic fertilizer is
a. higher analysis c. more available
b. immediate effect d. long term effect.
137. Farm manure with the higher fertilizer value
a. Goat manure c. Chicken manure.
b. Carabao manure d. Cow manure
138. The fertilizer recommended for irrigated lowland rice in a Maligaya clay loam during dry season is
113 kg N, 21 kg P2O5 and 21 kg K2O per ha. The amount of fertilizer needed to satisfy the requirement is:
a. 4 bags urea (46-0-0) + 3 bags complete fertilizer (14-14-14).
b. 5 bags urea (46-0-0) + 4 bags complete fertilizer (14-14-14)
c. 4 bags urea (46-0-0) + 4 bags complete fertilizer (14-14-14)
d. 10 bags complete fertilizer (14-14-14)
139. Soil pH is one of the most important single chemical property of the soil that indicates its
nutritional status. A soil with pH 5 has H + ion concentration of
a. 5 x 10-5 M c. 1 x 10-5 M.
-5
b. 50 x 10 M d. 10 x 10-5 M
140. Soil acidity is due to the presence of both Al +++ and H+ ions in the soil. The hydrolysis of 1 mole of Al +
++
gives rise to
a. 1 c. 5
b. 3. d. 7 moles of H+ ions
141. The H+ ion concentration of a soil is 1x10-6 M. The pH of this soil is
a. 6. c. 7
b. 5 d. 6.1
142. Which among these processes does not contribute to the development of soil acidity
a. leaching
b. nitrification
c. application of NH4+ carrying fertilizers
d. volatization.
143. In the laboratory, the amount of lime to alleviate soil acidity can be determined using the
a. Veitch method. c. Espino’s method
b. Hoagland’s method d. De Amon method
144. Soil acidity is one of the most extensive soil problems in crop production. To alleviate soil acidity,
which among these soil amendments is applied
a. Sulfur c. organic fertilizer
b. Lime . d. urea
145. The most common form of agricultural lime available in the market
a. CaMg (CO3)2 c. CaO
b. CaCO3. d. MgO
146. Dolomite is extensively used as liming material in acid soil grown to sugarcane. What is the
chemical formula of dolomite
a. CaCO3 c. CaO
b. CaMg (CO3)2. d. MgCO3
147. To be more effective, a liming material should be applied at the proper time. This is usually done at
a. plowing c. 3-4 weeks before planting.
b. planting d. harvesting
148. The enzyme responsible in nitrogen fixation
a. nitrate reductase c. nitrogenase.
b. catalase d. caarboxylase
149. Non-symbiotic N2 fixing organisms in a lowland soil
a. actinomycetes c. blue green algae
b. bacteria. d. fungi
150. Organisms capable of nitrogen fixation are called
a. organotrophs c. chemotrophs
b. diazotrophs. d. autotrophs
151. Decomposers which work both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions
a. actinomycetes c. fungi
b. bacteria. d. algae
152. The conversion of ammonium (NH4) into organic N
a. immobilization. c. mineralization
b. fixation d. nitrification
153. The element that most often limits the rate of plant residue decay in soils
a. Oxygen. c. Nitrogen
b. Carbon d. Phosphorus
154. On the average, the tissue of legume plants decomposes more rapidly than the straw from mature
grass because the legume is
a. higher in readily decomposable carbohydrates
b. higher in protein
c. higher in both readily decomposable carbohydrates and protein.
d. higher in lignin
155. Microorganisms that are most active in the decay of organic substance in soils
a. Autotrophs c. Anarobes
b. Aerobes. d. Phototrophs
156. Of the following, the one that is not carbohydrate is
a. Lignin. c. Cellulose
b. Starch d. Hemicellulose
157. Product of nitrification is
a. N2 c. NH4
b. NO3 . d. N2O
158. Product of denitrification
a. N2. c. NH4
b. NO3 d. NH3
159. The anaerobic non-symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria belong to the genus
a. Dexria c. Azotobacter
b. Clostridium . d. Bradyrhizobium
160. The percentage of organic N in the soil is approximately
a. 96-98% c. 68-75%
b. 78-80%. d. 50-60%
161. Bacteria belonging to this genus are non-symbiotic nitrogen fixers
a. Nitrobacter c. Azotobacter.
b. Aerobacter d. Athrobacter
162. If a crop residue contains 60% organic carbon and 5% total nitrogen, its C/N ration is
a. 10:1 c. 15:1
b. 12:1. d. 20:1
163. Which of the following microorganisms is very sensitive to potassium levels in soil and therefore
useful in diagnosing potassium deficiency?
a. Pseudomonas denitrificans. c. Azotobacter chroococcum
b. Aspergillus niger d. Nitrobacter agilis
164. The most efficient organic matter decomposers under acidic soil conditions are the
a. Bacteria c. Fungi.
b. Actinomycetes d. Protozoa
165. A soil with bulk density of 1.3 g/cm3 and particle density of 2.60g/cm3 will have a porosity of:
a. 5% c. 50%.
b. 25% d. 75%
166. Type of soil structure best suited for growing upland crops
a. Massive c. Crumb.
b. Platy d. Single-grain
167. Bacteria belong to this factor of soil formation
a. Relief c. Climate
 b. Living organism. d. Parent material
168. Blocks of soil from each horizon posted on hard board
a. Regolith c. Litolith
b. Monolith. d. Pedon
169. Basis for mapping of Philippine soils
a. Soil series/ type. c. Soil Family
b. Soil order d. Great group
170. The percent N, P2O5 and K2O in a fertilizer
a. Fertilizer ratio c. Fertilizer recommendation
b. Fertilizer grade. d. Fertilizer brand
171. In highly weathered and leached tropical soils most of the phosphorus is stored in
a. soil solution c. organic matter.
b. secondary minerals d. clay fraction
172. When nutrients are immobile deficiency first shows up in
a. Youngest leaves. c. Senescent leaves
b. Oldest leaves d. Stems
173. Deficiency of nitrogen first shows up as chlorosis of
a. Oldest leaves . c. Middle leaves
b. Youngest leaves d. Stems
174. The suitable fertilizer for an alkaline N deficient soil
a. Anhydrous NH3 c. Calcium nitrate
b. Urea d. Ammonium sulfate.
175. At maturity, the nitrogen content of a grain crop will be highest in
a. stem c. grain
b. leaf d. grain.
176. Soil application of fertilizer after plant emergence
a. Basal c. Foliar
b. Topdressing. d. Deep placement
177. The first stage in soil erosion
a. Soil particle detachment. c. Deposition
b. Entrapment d. Water infiltration
178. Basic properties described in a soil profile
a. Texture, bulk density, consistency
b. CEC, OM(%) content, BS, BD
c. Color, texture, stoniness, structure.
d. Plasticity, structure
179. Describes the darkness or lightness of color
a. Value. c. Ultra
b. Hue d. Spectra
180. Soil texture can be described effectively in the field
a. Touch method c. Hydrometer
b. Pinch method d. Feel and roll method.
181. The cracking clay soils fall under this order
a. Vertisols c. Mollisols
b. Ultisols d. Alfisols.
182. It is the most extensively weathered of all the soil orders
a. Vertisols c. Ultisols
b. Oxisols . d. Alfisols
183. The most detailed category of soil taxonomy
a. Soil family. c. Great group
b. Soil series d. suborder
184. The percent N, P2O5 and K2O in fertilizer
a. Fertilizer ratio c. Fertilizer recommendation
b. Fertilizer grade. d. Fertilizer brand
185. The available form of nitrogen
a. N2 c. NH4.
b. N2O d. NH3
186. Calcium in plants tends to be concentrated in
a. Cell sap. c. Cell wall
b. Cell nucleus d. Mitochondria
187. If neutral salts were leached from a sodic soil, its pH would probably
a. increase. c. remain the same
b. decrease d. zero
188. A soil condition usually associated with a salinity problem is
a. fine texture c. poor internal drainage.
b. level Topography d. soil acidity
189. Of the following calcium compounds, the one that has the highest neutralizing power when in pure
form is
a. calcium oxide. c. calcium carbonate
b. calcium hydroxide d. dolomite
190. To conserve the nitrogen it contains, animal manure should be stored in
a. loose, moist condition c. compact, moist condition.
b. compact, dry condition d. loose, dry condition
191. The reason micronutrient cations such as copper, zinc, and iron are frequently supplied plants in
the form of sprays is because
a. these elements are readily fixed in unavailable forms in soils.
b. these elements are not efficiently taken up from the soil solution by roots
c. spraying gives better control over toxic effects from micronutrient
d. these elements are volatile
192. Soils in this category have the same color, texture, structure, consistency, thickness, and reaction
(pH) and have the same number and arrangement of horizons and similar chemical and mineralogical
properties
a. soil series. c. great group
b. soil order d. family
193. A surface horizon that is too light in color, too low in organic matter or too thin
a. mollic epipedon c. histeic epipedon
b. ochric eppedon. d. umbric epipedon
194. The total number of soil orders classified under the soil taxonomy
a. 15 c. 12.
b. 10 d. 11
195. Soil particles larger than 2 mm in size
a. Sand c. Stones
b. Rockiness d. Gravelly.
196. The property of the soil that enables water, or roots to move through it
a. Infiltration c. Permeability.
b. Density d. percolation
197. A soil temperature regime wherein the mean annual soil temperature is 22˚C or higher and the
difference between mean summer and mean winter temperature is less than 5˚C
a. mesic c. hyperthermic
b. thermic d. isohyperthermic.
198. Increased bulk density is not favorable in practical agriculture. Which of the following may lead to
reduced bulk density
a. less aggregation and root penetration
b. compaction caused by the weight of the overlying layers
c. addition of organic matter in large amounts.
d. heavy foot traffic
199. Soil component with extreme small size and large surface area, capable of absorbing cations and
water
a. colloid. c. feldspar
b. quarts d. carbonates
200. The El Niño phenomenon created a global problem on agriculture. This problem is manifested by
wide cracks in soils. The cracks are due to the predominance of
a. kaolinite c. vermiculite
b. montmorillonite. d. illite clays

. Practice Test in Soil Science

1. A 21. C 41. A 61. C 81. B

2. C 22. B 42. C 62. C 82. A
3. B 23. A 43. A 63. B 83. A
4. A 24. C 44. D 64. C 84. A
5. B 25. B 45. A 65. B 85. B
6. C 26. A 46. A 66. B 86. B
7. B 27. B 47. C 67. C 87. C
8. A 28. B 48. A 68. A 88. C
9. C 29. C 49. C 69. D 89. A
10. B 30. C 50. B 70. A 90. A
11. B 31. C 51. A 71. C 91. B
12. C 32. C 52. B 72. D 92. B
13. B 33. D 53. A 73. C 93. B
14. B 34. A 54. C 74. A 94. D
15. C 35. C 55. A 75. A 95. B
16. B 36. C 56. A 76. C 96. B
17. A 37. C 57. B 77. B 97. B
18. B 38. A 58. C 78. C 98. C
19. A 39. C 59. B 79. D 99. A
20. B 40. A 60. A 80. C 100. D

101. A 121. A 141. A 161. C 181. D

102. A 122. B 142. D 162. B 182. B
103. A 123. C 143. A 163. B 183. A
104. C 124. A 144. B 164. C 184. B
105. D 125. B 145. B 165. C 185. C
106. B 126. C 146. B 166. C 186. A
107. D 127. A 147. C 167. B 187. A
108. B 128. B 148. C 168. B 188. C
109. B 129. B 149. B 169. A 189. A
110. D 130. C 150. B 170. B 190. C
111. B 131. A 151. B 171. C 191. A
112. B 132. B 152. A 172. A 192. A
113. C 133. A 153. A 173. A 193. B
114. A 134. A 154. C 174. D 194. C
115. B 135. B 155. B 175. D 195. D
116. B 136. D 156. A 176. B 196. C
117. A 137. C 157. B 177. A 197. D
118. B 138. A 158. A 178. C 198. C
119. D 139. C 159. B 179. A 199. A
120. A 140. B 160. B 180. D 200. B