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Question Bank

CMD DSSSC Kerala Soil Testing Laboratories (Research Assistant) Exam - English

Duration: 90 · Questions: 100 · Max Marks: 100 · Language: 1

View CMD DSSSC Kerala Soil Testing Laboratories (Research Assistant) 2026 Exam Page

Concerned Subject

1
The equation of soil formation proposed by Dokuchaev is commonly written as?
  1. A.S = f(cl, o, r, p, t)
  2. B.S = cl x o x r x p x t
  3. C.S = f(cl, o, r, p, t, ...)
  4. D.S = f(p, t) only
2
In Dokuchaev's soil formation equation, 'cl' stands for?
  1. A.Parent material
  2. B.Organisms
  3. C.Relief
  4. D.Climate
3
The factor 'o' in Dokuchaev's equation represents?
  1. A.Organisms (including vegetation, animals, microbes)
  2. B.Climate
  3. C.Time
  4. D.Relief
4
The factor 'r' in Dokuchaev's soil formation equation denotes?
  1. A.Relief (topography)
  2. B.Parent material
  3. C.Time
  4. D.Climate
5
The factor 'p' in Dokuchaev's equation stands for?
  1. A.Parent material
  2. B.Climate
  3. C.Organisms
  4. D.Relief
6
The factor 't' in Dokuchaev's equation represents?
  1. A.Temperature only
  2. B.Topography
  3. C.Parent material
  4. D.Time
7
Laterite soils in Kerala are primarily classified as?
  1. A.Entisols
  2. B.Alfisols
  3. C.Vertisols
  4. D.Oxisols and Ultisols
8
The dominant pedogenic process responsible for laterite soil formation in Kerala is?
  1. A.Salinization
  2. B.Podzolization
  3. C.Calcification
  4. D.Laterization
9
Laterization is characterized by intense?
  1. A.Accumulation of calcium carbonate
  2. B.Leaching of silica and bases with accumulation of Fe and Al oxides
  3. C.Clay illuviation
  4. D.Organic matter accumulation
10
The high rainfall and temperature in Kerala accelerate which weathering process?
  1. A.Glacial weathering
  2. B.Physical weathering only
  3. C.Chemical weathering and laterization
  4. D.Wind weathering
11
Laterite soils in Kerala are typically rich in?
  1. A.Calcium carbonate
  2. B.Iron and aluminium oxides (sesquioxides)
  3. C.Organic carbon
  4. D.Soluble salts
12
The low base saturation and low cation exchange capacity of laterite soils in Kerala is due to?
  1. A.High organic matter
  2. B.Intensive leaching of bases
  3. C.Clay accumulation
  4. D.High pH
13
The typical pH range of laterite soils in high-rainfall Kerala is?
  1. A.Strongly acidic (4.5-5.5)
  2. B.Alkaline (8-9)
  3. C.Neutral (6.5-7.5)
  4. D.Slightly alkaline
14
The red colour of laterite soils is mainly due to?
  1. A.Presence of iron oxides (hematite, goethite)
  2. B.Manganese oxides
  3. C.Organic matter
  4. D.Calcium carbonate
15
The hardening of laterite soil into hard rock-like material is called?
  1. A.Hardpan
  2. B.Caliche
  3. C.Laterite crust or plinthite
  4. D.Duripan
16
In Kerala, laterite soils are most extensively found in?
  1. A.River deltas
  2. B.Coastal alluvium
  3. C.Black soil regions
  4. D.Mid-upland and highland regions
17
The parent material for most laterite soils in Kerala is?
  1. A.Alluvium
  2. B.Metamorphic and igneous rocks (gneiss, charnockite)
  3. C.Sedimentary limestone
  4. D.Volcanic ash
18
The intense leaching in Kerala soils is mainly due to?
  1. A.Low rainfall
  2. B.High annual rainfall (>2500-3500 mm)
  3. C.Cold climate
  4. D.Low temperature
19
Kaolinite is the dominant clay mineral in?
  1. A.Alluvial soils
  2. B.Black soils
  3. C.Laterite soils of Kerala
  4. D.Desert soils
20
Gibbsite and goethite are common secondary minerals in?
  1. A.Mollisols
  2. B.Chernozems
  3. C.Aridisols
  4. D.Laterite soils
21
The process of desilication is prominent in?
  1. A.Podzolization
  2. B.Laterization
  3. C.Lessivage
  4. D.Salinization
22
The term "laterite" was originally coined by?
  1. A.Buchanan in 1807
  2. B.Dokuchaev
  3. C.Jenny
  4. D.Simonson
23
Laterite soils have low fertility because of?
  1. A.Low nutrient retention and high phosphorus fixation
  2. B.High organic matter
  3. C.High CEC
  4. D.High base saturation
24
In Kerala, laterite soils are also locally called?
  1. A.Khadar
  2. B.Regur
  3. C.Vettikkallu or Murum soils
  4. D.Bhabar
25
The red and yellow colour of Kerala laterite soils is due to?
  1. A.Variable oxidation state of iron oxides
  2. B.Organic matter
  3. C.Manganese
  4. D.Titanium
26
Plinthite in laterite soils is?
  1. A.Organic layer
  2. B.Calcium layer
  3. C.Iron-rich, humus-poor, irreversible hardening layer
  4. D.Clay pan
27
The high content of sesquioxides in Kerala laterite soils causes?
  1. A.High swelling
  2. B.Strong aggregation and low plasticity
  3. C.High CEC
  4. D.Low permeability
28
The soil order that represents highly weathered, low-activity clays is?
  1. A.Alfisols
  2. B.Oxisols
  3. C.Vertisols
  4. D.Entisols
29
Ultisols are characterized by?
  1. A.High organic matter
  2. B.High base saturation
  3. C.No clay accumulation
  4. D.Argillic horizon and low base saturation (<35%)
30
In Kerala, soils showing lateritic properties but having argillic horizon are classified as?
  1. A.Oxisols
  2. B.Ultisols
  3. C.Alfisols
  4. D.Inceptisols
31
The major factor responsible for intense weathering in Kerala is?
  1. A.Low rainfall
  2. B.High rainfall and high temperature throughout the year
  3. C.Cold winters
  4. D.Low humidity
32
The process of hydrolysis in Kerala soils leads to?
  1. A.Decomposition of primary minerals into secondary clays and oxides
  2. B.Accumulation of salts
  3. C.No hydrolysis
  4. D.Organic accumulation
33
Ferralsols (FAO classification) correspond to?
  1. A.Oxisols
  2. B.Ultisols
  3. C.Alfisols
  4. D.Mollisols
34
Acrisols (FAO) correspond to?
  1. A.Ultisols
  2. B.Oxisols
  3. C.Alfisols
  4. D.Aridisols
35
Laterite soils in Kerala are mostly?
  1. A.Saline
  2. B.Shallow
  3. C.Heavy clay
  4. D.Deep, well-drained, friable in upper layers
36
The low CEC in laterite soils is due to?
  1. A.High organic matter
  2. B.High montmorillonite
  3. C.Dominance of kaolinite and sesquioxides
  4. D.High vermiculite
37
Phosphorus fixation in Kerala laterite soils is mainly by?
  1. A.Organic matter
  2. B.Calcium carbonate
  3. C.Iron and aluminium oxides
  4. D.Clay minerals
38
The term "laterite" literally means?
  1. A.Clay soil
  2. B.Red soil
  3. C.Black soil
  4. D.Brick stone (from Latin later = brick)
39
Buchanan first described laterite as a material suitable for?
  1. A.Building bricks after exposure to air
  2. B.Road construction
  3. C.Pottery
  4. D.No use
40
In Kerala, laterite is extensively used for?
  1. A.No use
  2. B.Agriculture only
  3. C.Mining
  4. D.Construction of houses and roads
41
The thickness of laterite cap in Kerala uplands can be?
  1. A.No cap
  2. B.<1 m
  3. C.1-2 m
  4. D.5-30 m or more
42
Mottled zone in laterite profile is?
  1. A.Zone of alternating red and grey colours due to fluctuating water table
  2. B.No mottling
  3. C.Only red
  4. D.Only grey
43
The vesicular laterite is characterized by?
  1. A.Clayey
  2. B.Solid rock
  3. C.No vesicles
  4. D.Honeycomb-like structure with cavities
44
The duricrust in laterite is also called?
  1. A.No crust
  2. B.Caliche
  3. C.Silcrete
  4. D.Laterite cap or hardpan
45
The major rock type that gives rise to laterite in Kerala is?
  1. A.Limestone
  2. B.Sandstone
  3. C.Gneiss and charnockite
  4. D.Shale
46
The intense leaching of silica in laterite is termed as?
  1. A.Salinization
  2. B.Desilication
  3. C.Alkalization
  4. D.Acidification
47
The residual concentration of Fe and Al oxides in laterite is called?
  1. A.Relative enrichment
  2. B.Absolute enrichment
  3. C.No enrichment
  4. D.Depletion
48
Laterite soils have?
  1. A.Low available water holding capacity due to low clay and organic matter
  2. B.High water holding
  3. C.High CEC
  4. D.High fertility
49
The soil taxonomy order for highly weathered soils with oxic horizon is?
  1. A.Spodosols
  2. B.Ultisols
  3. C.Alfisols
  4. D.Oxisols
50
Ultisols in Kerala are common in?
  1. A.Coastal areas
  2. B.Lowlands
  3. C.Mid-upland regions with moderate to high rainfall
  4. D.High mountains
51
The argillic horizon in Ultisols indicates?
  1. A.Organic accumulation
  2. B.No clay accumulation
  3. C.Iron accumulation only
  4. D.Clay accumulation from upper horizons
52
Base saturation in Ultisols is?
  1. A.More than 50%
  2. B.Less than 35%
  3. C.100%
  4. D.No base saturation
53
The kandic horizon is diagnostic for?
  1. A.Oxisols
  2. B.Ultisols with low-activity clays
  3. C.Alfisols
  4. D.Vertisols
54
The high aluminium saturation in Kerala laterite soils causes?
  1. A.High fertility
  2. B.No toxicity
  3. C.Aluminium toxicity in sensitive crops
  4. D.Low acidity
55
Liming is commonly recommended in Kerala laterite soils to?
  1. A.Reduce aluminium toxicity and increase pH
  2. B.Increase acidity
  3. C.No liming
  4. D.Reduce phosphorus
56
The dominant pedogenic process in Kerala highlands is?
  1. A.Podzolization
  2. B.Laterization
  3. C.Gleization
  4. D.Salinization
57
The time factor in Dokuchaev's equation is important because?
  1. A.Soil forms instantly
  2. B.Soil properties change over thousands to millions of years
  3. C.No time factor
  4. D.Only climate
58
The role of organisms in soil formation in Kerala includes?
  1. A.Only physical
  2. B.No role
  3. C.Organic matter addition, root action, bioturbation
  4. D.Only chemical
59
Relief affects soil formation in Kerala by influencing?
  1. A.No effect
  2. B.Drainage, erosion, deposition and microclimate
  3. C.Only parent material
  4. D.Only time
60
Parent material in Kerala laterite soils is mostly?
  1. A.Alluvium
  2. B.Basic rocks
  3. C.Acidic crystalline rocks
  4. D.Loess
61
The intense chemical weathering in Kerala is due to?
  1. A.Cold climate
  2. B.Low temperature
  3. C.Low rainfall
  4. D.High temperature and high rainfall
62
The oxic horizon is diagnostic for?
  1. A.Ultisols
  2. B.Oxisols
  3. C.Alfisols
  4. D.Entisols
63
The kandic horizon has?
  1. A.Low-activity clays and low CEC
  2. B.High-activity clays
  3. C.No clay
  4. D.High CEC
64
Laterite soils in Kerala are generally?
  1. A.High fertility
  2. B.Low in fertility but suitable for plantation crops with management
  3. C.Saline
  4. D.Waterlogged
65
The common crops grown on Kerala laterite soils are?
  1. A.Wheat
  2. B.Rubber, coconut, arecanut, cashew, pepper
  3. C.Rice only
  4. D.Cotton
66
The major limitation for agriculture in Kerala laterite soils is?
  1. A.High fertility
  2. B.Low nutrient status and high acidity
  3. C.No limitation
  4. D.High salinity
67
The process of rubefaction in laterite soils refers to?
  1. A.No colour
  2. B.Black colour
  3. C.Grey colour
  4. D.Development of red colour due to iron oxides
68
The mottled zone in laterite profile indicates?
  1. A.No mottling
  2. B.Seasonal water table fluctuation and redox changes
  3. C.Permanent waterlogging
  4. D.Dry condition
69
The concretionary layer in laterite is rich in?
  1. A.Iron and manganese concretions
  2. B.Calcium
  3. C.Organic matter
  4. D.No concretions
70
The saprolite zone in laterite profile is?
  1. A.No zone
  2. B.Hard rock
  3. C.Soil only
  4. D.Highly weathered but still retains rock structure
71
The weathering intensity in Kerala is classified as?
  1. A.No weathering
  2. B.Early stage
  3. C.Advanced weathering stage
  4. D.Physical only
72
The dominance of 1:1 clay minerals in Kerala soils is due to?
  1. A.Low leaching
  2. B.Advanced desilication and leaching
  3. C.High base saturation
  4. D.Cold climate
73
The term "lateritic" is used for soils showing?
  1. A.High organic matter
  2. B.Accumulation of sesquioxides and low base status
  3. C.High CEC
  4. D.High salinity
74
The oxisol-ultisol boundary in soil taxonomy is based on?
  1. A.Depth
  2. B.No boundary
  3. C.Colour only
  4. D.CEC and base saturation levels
75
The ferralsic horizon is typical of?
  1. A.Ultisols
  2. B.Oxisols
  3. C.Alfisols
  4. D.Spodosols
76
The kandic horizon requires?
  1. A.High-activity clay
  2. B.Low-activity clay and evidence of illuviation
  3. C.No clay
  4. D.Organic horizon
77
The high Fe/Al activity ratio in Oxisols is due to?
  1. A.High 2:1 clays
  2. B.Highly weathered state and low 2:1 clays
  3. C.No Fe/Al
  4. D.Low weathering
78
Laterite soils in Kerala have?
  1. A.High fertility
  2. B.High AWC
  3. C.High CEC
  4. D.Low to very low available water capacity
79
The major management challenge in Kerala laterite soils is?
  1. A.Salinity management
  2. B.No challenge
  3. C.Liming, organic matter addition, balanced fertilization
  4. D.Waterlogging
80
The term "plinthite" is used for?
  1. A.Soft layer
  2. B.Firm, iron-rich subsurface horizon that hardens irreversibly on exposure
  3. C.Organic layer
  4. D.No plinthite
81
The presence of plinthite in Kerala soils indicates?
  1. A.Past or seasonal high water table
  2. B.Permanent dry condition
  3. C.No water table
  4. D.High organic matter
82
The hardening of plinthite into petroplinthite forms?
  1. A.Caliche
  2. B.No hardening
  3. C.Laterite cap or duricrust
  4. D.Duripan
83
The term "lateritic gravel" refers to?
  1. A.Stone only
  2. B.No gravel
  3. C.River gravel
  4. D.Ironstone gravel or pisoliths in laterite soils
84
The vesicular laterite is used as?
  1. A.Lightweight building material
  2. B.Heavy construction
  3. C.No use
  4. D.Agriculture only
85
The major soil series in Kerala laterite region are?
  1. A.Alluvial series
  2. B.Black soil series
  3. C.Malappuram, Chaliyar, Kanhangad series
  4. D.Desert series
86
The soil reaction (pH) of laterite soils in Kerala is generally?
  1. A.>8.5
  2. B.7.0-8.5
  3. C.6.5-7.5
  4. D.4.5-6.0
87
The low potassium status in Kerala laterite soils is due to?
  1. A.No leaching
  2. B.High fixation
  3. C.Intensive leaching
  4. D.High addition
88
The phosphorus fixation in laterite soils is mainly?
  1. A.By Fe and Al oxides forming insoluble compounds
  2. B.By calcium
  3. C.By organic matter
  4. D.No fixation
89
The dominant exchangeable cation in Kerala laterite soils is?
  1. A.Magnesium
  2. B.Calcium
  3. C.Aluminium
  4. D.Potassium
90
Liming in Kerala laterite soils is recommended to?
  1. A.Neutralize acidity and reduce Al toxicity
  2. B.Increase acidity
  3. C.No liming
  4. D.Reduce phosphorus
91
The time factor in soil formation in Kerala is?
  1. A.Short duration
  2. B.Long duration (millions of years) leading to advanced weathering
  3. C.No time
  4. D.Recent formation
92
The role of climate in Kerala soil formation is?
  1. A.Only topography
  2. B.Minor factor
  3. C.No role
  4. D.Dominant factor (high rainfall + high temperature)
93
The parent material influence in Kerala laterite soils is?
  1. A.No influence
  2. B.Basic rocks
  3. C.Alluvium
  4. D.Acidic rocks leading to acidic, low-base soils
94
The role of relief in Kerala soil formation is?
  1. A.No role
  2. B.Steep slopes cause erosion and shallow soils in uplands
  3. C.Flat land
  4. D.Only deposition
95
The organisms' role in Kerala laterite soils is?
  1. A.High organic matter
  2. B.Limited due to low organic matter and intense leaching
  3. C.No organisms
  4. D.High bioturbation
96
The soil order showing the highest degree of weathering is?
  1. A.Mollisols
  2. B.Entisols
  3. C.Inceptisols
  4. D.Oxisols
97
The soil order with kandic horizon and low base saturation is?
  1. A.Aridisols
  2. B.Oxisols
  3. C.Alfisols
  4. D.Ultisols
98
The term "lateritic soil" is used in India for?
  1. A.All soils
  2. B.Soils showing laterite characteristics (Fe/Al enrichment, low bases)
  3. C.Black soils
  4. D.Alluvial soils
99
The formation of plinthite requires?
  1. A.No wetting
  2. B.Permanent wetness
  3. C.Alternating wetting and drying conditions
  4. D.Cold climate
100
Soil texture refers to the relative proportion of?
  1. A.Nutrients and pH
  2. B.Organic matter and minerals
  3. C.Water and air
  4. D.Sand, silt and clay particles
Question for CMD DSSSC Kerala Soil Testing Laboratories (Research Assistant) 2026 - Quiz / Questions / MCQ - Toppersexam