Questions and Answers: Soil and Crop production

B. Very short answer type questions:

1. What is the soil?

Answer: Soil is the loose upper layer of the Earth's surface where plants grow. It is made of rock particles, organic matter, water, and air.

2. How many types of soils are found in our country?


There are six major types of soils found in India:

  • Alluvial soil
  • Black soil
  • Red soil
  • Laterite soil
  • Mountain soil
  • Desert (arid) soil

3. Mention any five food crops.

  • Rice
  • Wheat
  • Maize
  • Millets
  • Pulses

4. Name any three cash crops.

  • Sugarcane
  • Cotton
  • Jute

5. Define: Khadar and Bangar

  • Khadar: The newer, younger, and highly fertile alluvial soil found in the floodplains.
  • Bangar: The older, less fertile alluvial soil found in the higher upland areas away from the floodplains.

C. Short answer type questions:

1. How is the soil formed?

  • It forms by weathering of rocks.
  • Rocks break into fine particles over time.
  • Natural forces like water and wind cause this.
  • Organic matter mixes with particles to make soil.

2. How can we increase the fertility of soil?

  • Add organic fertilizers like manure and compost.
  • Practice crop rotation with leguminous plants.
  • Avoid overuse of chemical pesticides.
  • Use proper drip irrigation methods.

3. Factors increasing agricultural production in India

  • Use of High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds.
  • Improved and modern irrigation facilities.
  • Balanced use of chemical and organic fertilizers.
  • Mechanization using tractors and modern tools.

4. Short Notes

  • (a) Black Soil: Rich in clay and holds moisture well. Ideal for growing cotton.
  • (b) Red and Yellow Soil: Develops on crystalline igneous rocks. Red due to iron diffusion.
  • (c) Mountainous Soil: Found in hilly, forested areas. Loamy and silty in valleys.
  • (d) Food Crops of India: Crops grown to feed the population. Examples: Rice, wheat, pulses, and maize.
  • (e) Cash Crops of India: Crops grown for commercial sale and profit. Examples: Sugarcane, cotton, jute, and tea.

5. What is weather? How does it help in soil formation?

  • Weather is the daily atmospheric condition.
  • Temperature changes make rocks expand and contract.
  • Rainwater enters cracks and breaks rocks apart.
  • Wind blows away loose rock particles.

6. Factors contributing to soil formation

  • Parent rock material determines color and texture.
  • Climate controlling temperature and rainfall.
  • Topography or slope of the land.
  • Time taken for soil to develop.

7. Differentiate

(a) Alluvial Soil vs. Red Soil

  • Alluvial soil is formed by river deposits.
  • Red soil comes from weathered ancient crystalline rocks.
  • Alluvial soil is highly fertile and light-colored.
  • Red soil is less fertile and red-colored.

(b) Food Crops vs. Cash Crops

  • Food crops are grown for local consumption.
  • Cash crops are grown for industrial sale.
  • Rice and wheat are food crops.
  • Cotton and sugarcane are cash crops.