SSC 200 Final Exam-Crouse

A soil at field capacity has what percent water in the macropores? a. 0% b. 25% c. 100% d. Cannot answer this question with the information provided.

0%

A pure clay crystal of kaolinite contains one octahedral layer and one tetrahedral layer. Which of these descriptions best describes the individual tetrahedrons that form the tetrahedral layer? a. 1 aluminum and 6 oxygens b. 6 aluminums and 1 oxygen c. 1 silicon and 4 oxygens d. 4 silicons and 1 oxygen

1 silicon and 4 Oxygens

The evapotranspiration (ET) from a pine forest was found to be 50 cm during a growing season. If the evaporation from the soil surface during this period of time was 5 cm, what is the level of loss from leaf surfaces? a. 45 cm b. 50.0 cm c. 55 cm d. Impossible to calculate from the data given e. 10 cm

45 cm

"Topsoil" is generally equivalent to which soil horizon? a. A b. B c. C d. R

A

The _____ horizon is topmost mineral horizon. a. O b. A c. E d. B

A

In many soil profiles, the subsoil is high in clay, but is also quite permeable, allowing water to percolate relatively well. Why? a. A blocky or sub-angular blocky structure may be well developed. b. Clay generally promotes free water movement. c. The water table may be present in the subsoil. d. The subsoil may have an organic texture.

A blocky or sub-angular blocky structure may be well developed.

Clay minerals are more chemically active than quartz sands because they have _____. Select one: a. Fewer negative charges b. More silicon c. A greater surface area d. All of the above e. None of the above

A greater surface area

Given three soil profile descriptions, A-B-C; A-C; A-E-B, and A-Bw-C rank the soils in order of most mature to least mature. a. A-E-B → A-C → A-Bw-C → A-B-C b. A-C → A-Bw-C → A-B-C → A-E-B c. A-Bw-C → A-C → A-E-B → A-B-C d. A-E-B → A-B-C → A-Bw-C → A-C

A-E-B → A-B-C → A-Bw-C → A-C

Given three soil profile descriptions, A-B-C; A-C; A-E-B, and A-Bw-C rank the soils in order of most mature to least mature. a. A-E-B → A-C → A-Bw-C → A-B-C b. A-C → A-Bw-C → A-B-C → A-E-B c. A-Bw-C → A-C → A-E-B → A-B-C d. A-E-B → A-B-C → A-Bw-C → A-C

A-E-B → A-B-C → A-Bw-C → A-C

pH is a measure of _____ acidity. a. total b. reserve c. exchangeable d. active

Active

Deposition of colluvial parent material is an example of which of the soil forming processes? a. Additions b. Eluviation c. Translocations d. Chemical Weathering

Additions

Soils from which order would exhibit properties dominated by chemical weathering of minerals? a. Histosol b. Alfisol c. Gelisol d. Aridisol

Alfisol

Select the appropriate soil order: A true B horizon is present. The subsoil has a base saturation greater than 35%. a. Alfisols b. Inceptisols c. Oxisols d. Ultisols

Alfisols

Select the appropriate soil order: A true B horizon is present. The subsoil has a base saturation greater than 35%. a. Inceptisols b. Oxisols c. Alfisols d. Ultisols

Alfisols

Traveling from a cool, wet climate to a warm, wet climate one would likely leave ____________ and encounter _____________. a. Aridisols, Oxisols b. Alfisols, Ultisols c. Ultisols, Mollisols d. Mollisols, Aridisols

Alfisols, Ultisols

Organic parent materials accumulate under which of the following conditions? a. Restricted aeration b. Cold & damp climates c. Water-logged soil conditions d. All of the above e. None of the above

All of the above

Organic parent materials accumulate under which of the following conditions? a. Restricted aeration b. Cold & damp climates c. Water-logged soil conditions d. All of the above e. None of the above

All of the above

The sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere ________. a. comes from fires such as fossil fuel burning, volcanoes and forest fires b. can be an important source of sulfur nutrition for plants c. is a major contributor to "acid rain" d. all of the above e. none of the above

All of the above

Which of the following increases soil acidity. a. Leaching of basic cations b. Application of ammonium sources of nitrogen fertilizers c. Weathering of clay minerals that release aluminum d. All of the above

All of the above

Which of the following is a greenhouse gas contributed to the atmosphere by soils? a. methane b. carbon dioxide c. nitrous oxides d. all of the above e. none of the above

All of the above

On very acid soils, a chemical problem that can reduce plant growth is _____. a. aluminum toxicity b. iron deficiency c. nitrate poisoning d. calcium toxicity

Aluminium toxicity

Assuming concentrations within the soil solution are the same, which of these cations would be most difficult to replace in the cation exchange system? a. Aluminum b. Chloride c. Sodium d. Potassium

Aluminum

What ion is probably most influential in causing very acid soil pH values? a. Aluminum b. Calcium c. Magnesium d. Sodium

Aluminum

Which ion hydrolyzes water molecules and causes some very low soil pH values. _____. a. Calcium b. Magnesium c. Aluminum d. Potassium

Aluminum

Before plants can absorb nitrate-nitrogen that originated from residue of a previous crop, the following processes must have occurred: (Note: processes must be in correct sequence.) a. N-fixation, denitrification, b. ammonification, nitrification c. nitrification, denitrification d. mineralization, immobilization

Ammonification, nitrification

Alcohols, methane and organic acids of various kinds often accumulate as a result of ________ decomposition of residues in soil a. nitrogen-limited b. fungal c. acidic d. anaerobic e. abiotic

Anaerobic

Select the appropriate soil order: Soils of volcanic origin. a. Andisols b. Aridisols c. Entisols d. Inceptisols

Andisols

Which of the following soil horizon sequences would be associated with the least mature soil profile? a. A1-A2-Bg-Cg b. A-E-Bt-C c. A-Bt1-Bt2-BC-C-R d. Ap-Bw-C-R

Ap-Bw-C-R

Oxidation or reduction of inorganic soil constituents such as iron and sulfur is carried out by members of which group(s) of microorganisms a. bacteria b. fungi c. actinomycetes d. A and C e. all of the above

Bacteria

Of the horizons listed below, organic matter accumulation is most pronounced in the ______. a.E b. Bw c. Bh d.C

Bh

The A horizon is noted for its high degree of _____. a. clay accumulation b. illuviation c. biological activity d. calcium carbonate accumulation

Biological Activity

A soil that is well aerated in a cold climate with high organic matter content and low clay would most likely be what color? a. Black b. Grey c. Red d. White

Black

The soil horizon with the highest silicate clay accumulation is the _____ horizon. a. A b. E c. Bw d. Bt

Bt

Parent material is generally equivalent to which soil horizon? a. A b. B c. C d. O

C

Which suborder has the lowest soil moisture levels? a. Udept b. Ustox c. Aquent d. Cambid

Cambid

Which suborder has the lowest soil moisture levels? a. Udept b. Ustox c. Aquent d. Cambid

Cambid

In a tropical rain forest, microbial decomposition of soil residues is least important in controlling the plant-availability of the following nutrient? a. Carbon b. Phosphorus c. Nitrogen d. Sulfur

Carbon

n soil science, CEC is an abbreviation for _____. a. Carbonated Electrical Circuits b. Cationic Eluviation Center c. Cation Exchange Capacity d. Calcium Exchange Component

Cation Exchange Capacity

Which ion is most weakly attracted to soil colloids? a. Aluminum b. Chloride c. Sodium d. Potassium

Chloride

A loamy sand, sandy loam, loam and silt loam could contain the same percentage of _____ size particles. a. silt b. loam c. sand d. clay

Clay

A sticky, putty-like feel indicates a high percentage of which soil separate? a. silt b. humus c. sand d. clay e. none of the above

Clay

Colloidal properties are exhibited by the ________ fraction of soils. a. gravel b. sand c. clay d. silt

Clay

Given equal volumes of soil, the total particle surface area would be the greatest in a _____. a. silt loam b. sandy clay loam c. loam d. clay

Clay

In texture by feel methods, this component accounts for longer ribbon formation. a. Sand b. Silt c. Clay

Clay

Which type of parent material would you find as the result of gravity transportation? a. Glacial till b. Colluvium c. Alluvium d. Loess

Colluvium

Which type of parent material would you find as the result of gravity transportation? a. Glacial till b. Colluvium c. Alluvium d. Loess

Colluvium

Which type of structure is typically found in sodium-rich sub-surface horizons? a. sub-angular blocky b. granular c. columnar d. platy e. prismatic

Columnar

_____ structure is typically found in sodium-rich sub- surface horizons. a. Columnar b. Platy c. Sub-angular blocky d. Prismatic

Columnar

When bulk density ____, the porosity _____. a. Increases, Increases b. Decreases, Decreases c. Decreases, Increases d. Decreases, Remains the same

Decreases, Increases

Which of the following processes does not increase the amount of nitrogen available to plants? a. Denitrification b. Mineralization c. Symbiotic N-fixation d. N fertilization

Denitrification

Soil texture is _____. a. Greatly affected by organic matter accumulation b. Altered easily by plowing a soil c. Determined by the relative distribution of sand, silt and clay d. None of the above

Determined by the relative distribution of sand, silt and clay

The horizon of maximum loss by leaching would be? a. R b. E c. C d. B e. A

E

Which horizon of a mature soil profile would you expect to find light colored and leached of clay? a. O b. A c. C d. B e. E

E

Which horizon of a mature soil profile would you expect to find light colored and leached of clay? a.O b.A c.E d.B

E

A soil horizon sequence of A-C-R would be characteristic of which soil order? a. Alfisol b. Entisol c. Oxisol d. Ultisol

Entisol

The "Ac" value is an estimate of a. Active Acidity b. Exchangeable Acidity c. Ammonium Concentration d. Anion Content

Exchangeable Acidity

A mollic epipedon is an example of a diagnostic subsurface horizon used in the USDA soil taxonomic system? a. True b. False, made true by changing Mollic to Umbric. c. False, made true by changing subsurface to surface. d. None of the answers are correct.

False, made true by changing subsurface to surface.

The cation exchange capacity of humus is not affected by soil pH. a. False, the CEC of humus is entirely dependent on pH b. False, the CEC of humus is partially a function of pH and mostly a function of isomorphic substitution c. False, the CEC of humus is mostly a function of pH and partially a function isomorphic substitution d. True

False, the CEC of humus is entirely dependent on pH

Which micronutrient element is found in the greatest quantity in most soils? a. Mn b. Zn c. Fe d. Cu e. B

Fe

You are working with a soil colloid known to have a reasonably high potassium level, a cation exchange capacity of about 20 cmolc/kg of clay and little tendency to swell when wetted. Which of the following is it most apt to be the dominant clay mineral in this soil? a. kaolinite b. vermiculite c. fine-grained mica d. smectite e. humus

Fine-grained mica

Select the one that doesn't go with the other three: a. Sand b. Silt c. Clay d. Granular

Granular

Which type of soil structure is typically found in surface soil (A horizons)? a. granular b. columnar c. sub-angular blocky d. platy e. prismatic

Granular

In acid soils the principal chemical form of phosphorus available for plant uptake is _____. a. H2PO4- b. P3+ c. CaPO42- d. PO43-

H2PO4-

Soil zones in which severe compaction has occurred will affect plant growth because of all of the following except _____. a. high soil strength b. high bulk density c. high oxygen levels d. high CO2 levels

High oxygen levels

A soil with a bulk density equal to 0.35 g/cm3 is most likely what type of soil? a. Ultisol b. Vertisol c. Histosol d. Aridisol

Histosol

Select the appropriate soil order: Organic soils that are not frozen. a. Mollisols b. Spodosols c. Gelisols d. Histosols

Histosols

Soil age can best be determined by which factor? a. Parent material b. Surface color c. Horizonation d. Topography

Horizonation

The layers of contrasting material found when one digs a hole in the ground are called ________. a. pseudoliths b. pedons c. soil structure d. horizons e. regoliths

Horizons

The layers of contrasting material found when one digs a hole in the ground are called ________. a. regoliths b. pedons c. pseudoliths d. horizons e. soil structure

Horizons

All of the following are essential elements needed for a plant to complete its life cycle. Which one is considered a Structural Element? a. Sulfur b. Hydrogen c. Manganese d. Nitrogen

Hydrogen

All of the following are essential elements needed for a plant to complete its life cycle. Which one is considered a Structural Element? a. Sulfur b. Nitrogen c. Hydrogen d. Manganese

Hydrogen

Which of the following term/horizon combinations describes the zone of maximum clay accumulation in soils of humid regions? a. Illuvial, B horizon b. Eluvial, B horizon c. Illuvial, E horizon d. Illuvial, A horizon e. Eluvial, A horizon

Illuvial, B horizon

The biological conversion of the ammonium form of nitrogen into an unavailable form is _____. a. ammonification b. immobilization c. nitrification d. mineralization

Immobilization

Active soil pH describes the concentration of hydrogen ions found _____. a. on clay mineral exchange sites b. on organic colloid exchange sites c. embedded in the clay crystalline lattice d. in the soil solution

In the solution

Select the appropriate soil order: Soil profile is starting to show signs of horizonation. There is evidence of a weak B horizon. a. Entisol b. Inceptisols c. Oxisols d. Ultisols

Inceptisols

Yellow colors in subsurface horizons are caused by _____ oxides in the soil. a. Aluminum b. Calcium c. Iron d. Manganese

Iron

In explaining erosion processes to a friend, which of the following would you say about accelerated erosion? a. It involves a much less rapid process than geological erosion. b. It is greatly enhanced by the splash effect of raindrops impacting bare soil. c. It removes more nitrogen from the surface soil than calcium. d. It is increasing in intensity in the United States, especially in the past 10 years. e. It refers to sediment carried by water flowing at ever greater velocity.

It is greatly enhanced by the splash effect of raindrops impacting bare soil.

Which of these properties about a tillage pan is false? a. Has a high ratio of micropores to macropores. b. It is a zone of high bulk density. c. It is permanent and cannot be corrected. d. It restricts root, air, and water progress.

It is permanent and cannot be corrected.

Biomass consists of ________. a. identifiable biomolecules b. living organisms and cells c. dead tissues and wastes d. polymerized, non-identifiable molecules e. all of the above

Living organisms and cells

Which of the following is a deep organic soil? a. Sandy, Siliceous, Thermic Aeric Alaquods b. Loamy, mixed, dysic, thermic Terric Haplosaprists c. Coarse-loamy, Siliceous, Active, Acid, Thermic Cumulic Humaquepts d. Coarse-loamy, Mixed, Superactive, Nonacid, Thermic Typic Sulfaquents

Loamy, mixed, dysic, thermic Terric Haplosaprists

_____ is a parent material that would show evidence of sorting actions due to wind? a. Loess b. Colluvium c. Alluvium d. Till

Loess

______ is not considered one of the processes of soil formation. a. Additions b. Loessification c. Transformations d. Translocation

Loessification

______ is not considered one of the processes of soil formation. a. Additions b. Loessification c. Transformations d. Translocation

Loessification

All of the following are essential elements needed for a plant to complete its life cycle. Which one is considered a Micronutrient? a. Sulfur b. Calcium c. Manganese d. Nitrogen

Manganese

Select the appropriate epipedon: A mineral horizon that is very black in color due to its high organic matter content where the soil developed from volcanic ash. a. Mollic b. Umbric c. Melanic d. Histic e. Folistic

Melanic

Unavailable water is stored in _____. a. Macropores b. Mesopores c. Micropores d. All pores

Micropores

The process of _____ releases plant-available nitrogen as the result of the breakdown of nitrogen- rich organic compounds. a. denitrification b. mineralization c. symbiosis d. volatilization

Mineralization

The process of _____ releases plant-available nitrogen as the result of the breakdown of nitrogen-rich organic a. denitrification b. volatilization c. symbiosis d. mineralization

Mineralization

Which mineral colloid has the largest cation exchange capacity? a. Humus b. Montmorillonite, a 2:1 clay c. Kaolinte, a 1:1 clay d. Goethite, an iron oxide

Montmorillonite, a 2:1 clay

Which nutrient form is involved in reactions that acidify soil? a. K+ b. H2PO4- c. NH4+ d. Ca2+

NH4+

The very high pH levels found in some arid region soils are most likely due to high levels of exchangeable ________. a. Al(OH)2+ b. Al3+ c. Ca2+ d. Na+ e. Mg2+

Na+

In the United States, the government lead agency for most soil survey work is the _____. a. Agency for Soil Resource Inventory b. Department of the Interior c. National Bureau of Soil Survey d. Natural Resources Conservation Service e. Department of Land Reclamation

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Which of these common plant nutrients would not be found bound as a cation to the surface of a clay mineral? a. Nitrate-nitrogen b. Potassium c. Calcium d. Magnesium

Nitrate-nitrogen

Conversion of the cationic form of soil nitrogen to the anionic form is _____. a. denitrification b. immobilization c. nitrification d. mineralization

Nitrification

Which process in the nitrogen cycle converts nitrogen into its most polluting form? a. Denitrification b. Mineralization c. Nitrification d. Immobilization

Nitrification

Nitrification is a two-step process with nitrite (NO2-) being formed in step one and then nitrite being oxidized to nitrate (NO3-) in step 2. Which bacteria are responsible for step 2? a. Nitrobacter b. Nitrosomonas

Nitrobater

Over the length of a growing season, which macronutrient would move furthest from a fertilizer pellet placed in the root zone? a. Nitrogen b. Phosphorus c. Potassium d. Chlorine

Nitrogen

Nitrification is a two-step process with nitrite (NO2-) being formed in step one and then nitrite being oxidized to nitrate (NO3-) in step 2. Which bacteria are responsible for step 1? a. Nitrobacter b. Nitrosomonas

Nitrosomonas

Which horizon would always be present in a Histosol? a. O b. B c. E d. R

O

Organic matter accumulation is most pronounced in the ________. a. C horizon b. A horizon c. B horizon d. O horizon e. E horizon

O horizon

In which of the following epipedons is the organic matter level generally lowest? a. ochric b. histic c. mollic d. melanic e. umbric

Ochric

_____ is not one of the five major factors of soil formation. a. Olluviation b. Time c. Topography d. Parent material e. Biological activity

Olluviation

A mollic diagnostic horizon would be noted for its high degree of ______. a. iron and aluminum accumulation b. clay content c. eluviation d. organic matter accumulation

Organic matter accumulation

Which of the following is not an epipedon? a. Mollic b. Ochric c. Oxic d. Histic

Oxic

Soils in which order would be dominated by minerals that are the most resistant to weathering? a. Spodosol b. Aridisol c. Oxisol d. Histosol

Oxisol

The nutrient most often limiting the growth of aquatic plants and algae in unpolluted fresh water lakes is ____. Addition of the element can often result in algal blooms. a. Ca b. K c. S d. P

P

Given the same length of time, which macronutrient diffuses in a soil the shortest distance relative to the other macronutrients? a. Chloride b. Nitrogen c. Phosphorus d. Potassium

Phosphorus

Which nutrient's plant availability is most closely governed by soil pH? a. Sulfur b. Phosphorus c. Potassium d. Carbon

Phosphorus

Select the one that doesn't go with the other three. a. Blocky b. Plasticity c. Columnar d. Prismatic

Plasticity

Continuous cultivation and soil compaction tend to reduce the amount of _____ in the soil. a. porespace b. clay c. minerals d. sand

Porespace

Practices that add organic matter and reduce tillage can be expected to most significantly increase the _____ in a soil. a. bulk density b. fineness of texture c. porosity d. sand content

Porosity

Select the appropriate structure: Vertical orientation. Can be found in the subsoils in humid regions. Lacks the salt "cap" typical of a similarly shaped unit of structure. Not ideal for plant growth. a. Blocky b. Prismatic c. Single grained d. Columnar

Prismatic

Which is not included in the epipedon? a. A horizon b. part of the B horizon (if significantly darkened by organic matter) c. E horizon d. R horizon

R horizon

The percentages of which soil components represent the minimum information necessary in order to determine the textural class of a soil? a. gravel and sand b. silt and sand c. clay and organic matter d. clay, water and air e. sand, silt and clay

Silt and sand

Shallow pots, each containing dry soils of different textures, were set in a tray of water. In which texture would moist soil first appear at the surface? (Hint: Its a pore size thing). Select one: a. Silt loam b. Sandy loam c. Sandy clay loam d. Silty clay loam

Silty clay loam

_____ is not a characteristic of soil colloids. a. Very small size b. Small external surface areas c. Electronegative charges d. Ability to exchange ions with the soil solution

Small external surface areas

Which of these compounds does not complex with phosphorus and make it less available for plant uptake? a. Aluminum b. Calcium c. Iron d. Sodium

Sodium

Which of these compounds does not complex with phosphorus and make it less available for plant uptake? a. Sodium b. Aluminum c. Iron d. Calcium

Sodium

The universal soil-loss equation (USLE) suggests that soil erosion loss is a product of all but one of the following factors: a. climate b. sloped steepness c. vegetative cover d. slope length e. soil drainage

Soil drainage

The P factor in the Universal soil-loss equation is concerned with all but one of the following: a. strip-cropping b. vegetative covers c. contour tillage d. soil erodibility Correct e. terraces

Soil erodibility

Select species of bacterial can infect the roots of select species of plants so that a mutually beneficial relationship is established whereby the plant obtains N and the microorganisms obtains energy. This is an example of a/an _____ relationship. a. antagonistic b. symbiotic c. parasitic d. negative

Symbiotic

Where are you most likely to find the soil with the least developed soil? a. A maple and birch forest in Maine b. A temperate rainforest in Oregon c. The painted desert in Arizona d. The Great Plains of the American Midwest

The painted desert in Arizona

If you dug a deep hole in your back yard and water started to seep into the hole it would fill the hole up to ________. a. the infiltration rate b. the percolation rate c. the liquid limit d. field capacity e. the water table

The water table

Weathering of primary minerals to form secondary minerals is an example of what type of process? a. additions b. illuviation c. transformations d. eluviation

Transformations

Which is one of the soil forming processes? a. Biotic Activity b. Transformations c. Climate d. Time

Transformations

Which is one of the soil forming processes? a. Transformations b. Biotic Activity c. Time d. Climate

Transformations

Which is one of the soil forming processes? a. Biotic Activity b. Transformations c. Climate d. Time

Transformations

______ is not considered one of the five major factors of soil formation. a. Native parent materials b. Living organisms c. Climate d. Translocations

Translocations

The _____ are Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic. a. types of rocks b. basic classes of soils c. master horizon names d. forms of minerals

Types of rocks

Which of the following is an epipedon? a. Umbric b. Kandic c. Cambic d. Spodic

Umbric

Soil occupies the ________ part of the regolith. a. lower b. younger c. upper d. Both B and C

Upper

If you were looking for a soil with high cation exchange capacity and were not concerned with the soils physical properties, which of the following would most likely fit your needs? a. Vertisol b. Mollisol c. Aridisol d. Oxisol e. Ultisol

Vertisol

Liming materials neutralize soil acidity by converting the hydrogen ion into _____. a. water b. carbon dioxide c. a basic cation d. a reserve form of acidity

Water

The loess layer found atop many Midwestern soils is an example of a _____ transported parent material. a. water b. gravity c. wind d. glacial

Wind

Which of the following nutrient elements is usually present in the soil solution as a simple cation? a. B b. Zn c. Mo d. Cl e. all of the above

Zn

You would be most apt to look in _____ if you wanted to find a soil where physical weathering dominated over chemical weathering. a. a desert region of Arizona b. the foothills of the Georgia mountains c. a coastal plain area of North Carolina d. a humid region in Brazil

a desert region of Arizona

Disease suppressive soil often results from ________. Select one: a. heating the soil by natural solarization or steam heat b. repeated tillage to keep the soil bare for at least one full year c. fumigation with a volatile chemical d. adding organic materials to the soil that stimulate diverse microorganisms e. all of the above

adding organic materials to the soil that stimulate diverse microorganisms

Residual soil acidity is a measure of the _____. a. hydrogen ion activity in the soil solution b. aluminum and hydrogen ions attracted towards the charge of the clay and humus surfaces c. aluminum and hydrogen bound to the charge of the clay and humus surfaces

aluminum and hydrogen bound to the charge of the clay and humus surfaces

Which of the following locations in the United States would have the highest evaporation (E) from the soil surface in July? a. a forest woodland in Illinois b. a corn field in New York c. an unirrigated soil in South Carolina growing cotton d. a bare, unirrigated dry land soil in Colorado e. an irrigated cotton field in Arizona

an irrigated cotton field in Arizona

Soil scientists generally map the soils in a landscape by sampling the soil in ________. a. auger holes made mostly near expected soil boundaries b. the center of the suspected soil mapping unit c. pre-determined a grid-like geometric pattern of evenly spaced points d. a computer-calculated pattern of random points e. four soil pits, one dug in each corner of the area to be mapped

auger holes made mostly near expected soil boundaries

n order for nitrate to form from soil organic matter, ________ must be present in the soil a. Nitrosomonas b. Nitrobacter c. either A or B d. both A and B e. none of the above

both A and B

Where high-value crops or individual ornamental shrubs are to be grown and water is expensive, the most efficient type of irrigation to use would be _____. a. drip or trickle b. basin flooding c. furrow d. center pivot

drip or trickle

Proper fertilizer management practices encourage high water-use efficiency by _____. a. increasing the osmotic tension of soil water b. increasing the osmotic potential in the soil c. decreasing soil water tortuousity d. encouraging root proliferation

encouraging root proliferation

Which of the following means of estimating soil water levels gives a direct measurement of the water content? a. tensiometer b. neutron scattering c. gypsum blocks d. gravimetric determinations e. pressure membrane

gravimetric determinations

Pesticides, excess plant nutrients and waste chemicals most likely to move through soils in the _____ water. a. hygroscopic b. gravitational c. capillary d. micropore

gravitational

Available phosphorus levels are constrained in alkaline and salt-affected soils because of ________. a. low hydrogen ion levels b. high calcium and magnesium levels c. high manganese levels d. high iron and aluminum levels e. high exchangeable sodium levels

high calcium and magnesium levels

The total phosphorus lost from various watersheds is most closely correlated with ________. a. high percentage of forested land b. low soil CEC c. high soil permeability d. high soil erosion e. extent of artificial drainage

high soil erosion

Water movement in a soil would be from a zone of __. a. lower potential to higher potential b. higher potential to lower potential c. unsaturated to saturated d. not enough information is provided

higher potential to lower potential

Active soil acidity is a measure of the ____. a. hydrogen ion activity in the soil solution b. aluminum and hydrogen bound to the charge of the clay and humus surfaces c. aluminum and hydrogen ions attracted towards the charge of the clay and humus surfaces

hydrogen ion activity in the soil solution

The nutrient element magnesium is often supplied by which type of application? a. broadcast of the nearly pure element as a solid b. broadcast of a chloride salt c. application of a chelate to the soil d. injection of a gas into the soil e. incorporation of powdered limestone rock

incorporation of powdered limestone rock

The nutrient element magnesium is often supplied by which type of application? a. broadcast of the nearly pure element as a solid b. incorporation of powdered limestone rock c. injection of a gas into the soil d. broadcast of a chloride salt e. application of a chelate to the soil

incorporation of powdered limestone rock

Which of the following silicate clays would be least apt to be formed from the mere alteration of primary minerals? a. iron or aluminum oxides b. chlorite c. smectite d. vermiculite e. fine-grained micas

iron or aluminum oxides

Residual parent materials are best described as a. materials formed under organic residues b. materials formed by weathering of rocks and minerals in place c. materials transported from one location to another d. None of the above.

materials formed by weathering of rocks and minerals in place

Residual parent materials are best described as a.materials formed under organic residues b. materials formed by weathering of rocks and minerals in place c. materials transported from one location to another d. None of the above.

materials formed by weathering of rocks and minerals in place

An anion is _____. a. the major source of calcium b. negatively charged c. held tightly due to CEC d. a positively charged atom

negatively charged

If you want to maximize the quantity of vegetative cover on soil which of the following tillage practices would you use? a. no-tillage b. stubble mulch c. conventional moldboard plow d. strip till e. ridge tillage

no-tillage

The categories of Soil Taxonomy, listed in order from from the broadest soil description to the most specific soil description definition, are: _____. a. order, suborder, great group, subgroup, family, series b. great group, subgroup, order, suborder, family, series c. series, family, great group, subgroup, order, suborder d. order, suborder, great group, subgroup, series, family

order, suborder, great group, subgroup, family, series

Mycorrhizae primarily affect plant growth by influencing plant uptake of _____. a. water b. nitrogen c. phosphorus d. carbon dioxide

phosphorus

Within the technical capabilities of the particular lab, most soil test results can be best interpreted as indicating the ________. a. probability (likelihood) that nutrient application will improve plant growth b. amount or concentration of nutrient in the soil solution c. total amount of each nutrient in the soil d. amount of nutrient needed to achieve balanced soil fertility e. amount (lbs or kg ) of nutrient present in plant available forms

probability (likelihood) that nutrient application will improve plant growth

A grass cover crop grown on cropland over the winter season in a humid temperate region can be expected to ________. a. reduce the amount of nutrients leached to the groundwater b. significantly reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer that will be needed to grow the following crop c. significantly reduce the amount of water percolating to the water table d. increase nutrient concentrations in runoff water e. all of the above

reduce the amount of nutrients leached to the groundwater

The percentages of which soil components represent the minimum information necessary in order to determine the textural class of a soil? a. sand, silt and clay b. clay and organic matter c. silt and sand d. clay, water and air e. gravel and sand

silt and sand

The amount of available water contained in the soil is primarily a function of _____. a. particle density b. pore size distribution c. bulk density d. total porosity

size distribution

Which of the following will not increase the efficiency of water use by plants in an irrigation system? a. the use of crop residues to reduce evaporation b. the use of drip irrigation for fruit trees c. the use of concrete-lined delivery ditches d. the use of flood irrigation for forage crops e. the use of herbicides to control weeds

the use of flood irrigation for forage crops

Which of the following statements concerning applications or capabilities of soil moisture measuring devices is (are) true for the electrical resistance block? a. would give the same reading for both a loamy sand and a silt loam if both contained 15% moisture b. good to turn on automatic irrigation at -50 kPa c. requires "destructive sampling" for each measurement d. used to turn on irrigation when soil moisture potential reaches -200 kPa e. both A and D

used to turn on irrigation when soil moisture potential reaches -200 kPa

Hydrophobic soils are so named because the soil particles are coated with _____. a. water absorbent substances b. a thin water film c. a thick water film d. water repellent substances

water repellent substances

A soil with a loam textural class might contain _____ a. 20% clay b. 20% silt c. 20% sand d. Not enough information is provided

20% clay

A soil with a clay textural class might contain _____ a. 35% clay b. 45% silt c. 40% sand d. Not enough information is provided

40% sand

In a load of 10 cubic meters of topsoil, approximately how cubic meters of the volume would be solid material?

5

You would be most apt to look in _____ if you wanted to find a soil where physical weathering dominated over chemical weathering. a. a desert region of Arizona b. the foothills of the Georgia mountains c. a coastal plain area of North Carolina d. a humid region in Brazil

A desert region of Arizona

Which of the following soil horizon sequences would be associated with the most mature soil profile? a. A-E-Bt-C b. Ap-Bw-C-R c. A1-A2-Bg-Cg d. A-Bt1-Bt2-BC-C-R

A-E-Bt-C

The atmosphere is made up of a. water b. plants and animals c. air d. rock

Air

Soils from which order would exhibit properties dominated by chemical weathering of minerals? a. Histosol b. Alfisol c. Gelisol d. Aridisol

Alfisol

Traveling from a cool, wet climate to a warm, wet climate one would likely leave ____________ and encounter _____________. a. Aridisols, Oxisols b. Alfisols, Ultisols c. Ultisols, Mollisols d. Mollisols, Aridisols

Alfisols, Ultisols

Infiltration of precipitation is affected by _____. a. Slope b. Amount and type of vegetation c. Soil type d. All of the above

All of the above

Structure develops as the result of ____. a. Wetting and drying cycles b. Burrowing of macro-organisms c. Growth of plant roots d. All of the above

All of the above

Which of these processes represent a loss of nitrogen from the soil nitrogen cycle? a. Ammonia Volatilzation b. Immobilization c. Mineralization d. Nitrification

Ammonia Volatilzation

Select the appropriate soil order: Soils of volcanic origin. a. Andisols b. Aridisols c. Entisols d. Inceptisols

Andisols

Soils from which order would exhibit properties dominated by physical weathering? a. Alfisol b. Aridisol c. Uultisol Incorrect d. Oxisol

Aridisol

Residual parent materials would most likely be found _____. a. on a stream terrace b. in a peat-land c. at the base of a steep hill d. on a glacial lake plain e. at the summit of a steep hill

At the summit of a steep hill

In which of the following horizons has the process of illuviation most likely occurred? a. A horizon b. E horizon c. C horizon d. O horizon e. B horizon

B horizon

The A horizon is noted for its high degree of _____. a. clay accumulation b. illuviation c. biological activity d. calcium carbonate accumulation

Biological Activity

Match soil colors and their cause or implication. Well aerated, warm climate, high organic matter, low clay. a. White b. Black c. Red d. Grey

Black

The soil horizon with the highest silicate clay accumulation is the _____ horizon. a. A b. E c. Bw d. Bt

Bt

What property would be most useful in determining how fast a soil will exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide in the plant root zone? a. Particle density b. Texture c. Bulk density d. Plasticity index

Bulk Density

Parent material is generally equivalent to which soil horizon? a. A b. B c. C d. O

C

There are six soil master horizons, each designated by a different capital letter. The O horizon is a highly organic layer that forms at the soil surface, e.g.,under forest vegetation. The R horizon is the bedrock horizon. Which of the following is not one of the other four master horizons? a. A b. E c. D d. B e. C

D

Soils classified as Inceptisols have the least well-developed profiles of those in any order in the Soil Taxonomy system. a. True Incorrect b. False, made true by changing Inceptisol to Oxisol c. False, made true by changing Inceptisol to Alfisol d. Dang it! It is just false!

Dang it! It is just false!

_____ is not considered one of the five major factors influencing soil formation. a. Elemental Valence state b. Climate c. Native parent materials d. Topography e. Living organisms

Elemental Valence state

A soil horizon sequence of A-C-R would be characteristic of which soil order? a. Alfisol b. Entisol c. Oxisol d. Ultisol

Entisol

Select the appropriate soil order: The "youngest" mineral soils that have no B horizon. a. Ultisols b. Entisols c. Inceptisols d. Alfisols

Entisols

Which processes are responsible for the transformation of igneous rock to sedimentary rock? a. Melting and Recrystallization b. Erosion, Deposition and Lithification c. Heat d. Erosion and Cooling

Erosion, Deposition and Lithification

In a high elevation, cold desert, which weathering processes would dominate? a. Leaching and precipitation of secondary minerals b. Chemical weathering c. Exfoliation and mechanical processes d. Acid dissolution and lithification

Exfoliation and mechanical processes

A mollic epipedon is an example of a diagnostic subsurface horizon used in the USDA soil taxonomic system? a. True b. False, made true by changing Mollic to Umbric. c. False, made true by changing subsurface to surface. d. None of the answers are correct.

False, made true by changing subsurface to surface.

The White Store Series is a Fine, Mixed, Thermic Vertic Hapludalfs. What is the Family? a. Hapludalf b. Udalf c. Fine, Mixed Thermic d. Vertic Hapludalf

Fine, Mixed Thermic

Which soil structure type would you expect to find in an A horizon of a soil formed in a humid environment? a. Platy b. Granular c. Blocky d. Columnar

Granular

The _____ method of estimating soil water levels gives a direct measurement of water content? a. gypsum block b. time domain reflectometry (TDR) c. gravimetric determination d. tensiometer

Gravimetric determination

Pesticides, excess plant nutrients and waste chemicals most likely to move through soils in the _____ water. a. capillary b. gravitational c. hygroscopic d. micropore

Gravitational

Compared to silt, clay-sized soil particles are characterized by ________. a. a greater attraction for water b. less tendency to form hard clods when dry c. less capacity to hold nutrients in plant-available forms d. greater proportion of primary minerals

Greater attraction for water

The total phosphorus lost from an agricultural field is most closely correlated with _____. a. high soil cation exchange capacity b. high soil erosion c. low soil cation exchange capacity d. low slopes and low erosion

High soil erosion

Which of these soil properties doesn't fit with the other three? a. High sand content b. High permeability c. High surface area d. High macropore proportion

High surface area

If the soils are to be used for crop production, for which soil order would land drainage be most critical? a. Mollisols b. Aridisols c. Oxisols d. Inceptisols e. Histosols

Histosols

Which of the following statements is correct? a. Nutrient cycling in forested areas contributes little to soil formation. b. Limestone parent materials enhance the process of acidification. c. Calcium carbonate accumulation is more prominent in humid than in arid regions. d. Lacustrine parent materials have been subject to weathering for shorter periods of time than residual parent materials nearby. e. Soils on hillsides tend to be deeper than those on level lands.

Lacustrine parent materials have been subject to weathering for shorter periods of time than residual parent materials nearby.

Under which of the following conditions would you favor a finely ground dolomitic limestone as your choice among liming materials? a. Need for a rapid reaction with the soil b. Need to provide magnesium in addition to calcium c. Need for a material with a low shipping cost d. Need to obtain a high soil pH

Need to provide magnesium in addition to calcium

Which formula best describes bulk density? a. Oven Dry Weight (g) /Volume of Soil (cm3) b. Oven Dry Weight (g) /Volume of Pores (cm3) c. Oven Dry Weight (g) /Volume of Particles (cm3) d. 1 + Particle Density

Oven Dry Weight (g) /Volume of Soil (cm3)

Which of the following subsurface diagnostic horizons would you expect to find in a highly weathered soil of the humid tropics? a. oxic b. natric c. cambic d. salic e. spodic

Oxic

Select the one that doesn't go with the other three: a. Blocky b. Columnar c. Plasticity d. Prismatic

Plasticity

Select the appropriate structure: Thin, flat layers of soil that lie horizontally. Usually found in compacted soil. Not ideal for plant growth. a. Columnar b. Platy c. Blocky d. Granular

Platy

The ability of a soil to store water, that would later be available for plant growth, could be most accurately judged from knowing which characteristic? a. Soil texture b. Pore size distribution c. Bulk density d. Particle density

Pore size distribution

All of the following are essential elements needed for a plant to complete its life cycle. Which one is considered a Primary Macronutrient? a. Sulfur b. Hydrogen c. Manganese d. Potassium

Potassium

The lithosphere is made up of ________.

Rock

Igneous rocks can best be characterized as ________. a. rocks containing a mixture of primary and secondary minerals b. rocks formed when molten magma solidifies c. rocks formed from the recrystallization of sedimentary material d. rocks found primarily near volcanoes. e. rocks containing both feldspars and micas

Rocks formed when molten magma solidifies

A spoonful of this has the least specific surface area. a. Sand b. Silt c. Clay

Sand

USDA considers a particle 0.09mm in diameter to be a. Clay b. Gravel c. Sand d. Silt

Sand

Which soil texture has the largest number of macropores? a. Clay b. Silt loam c. Clay loam d. Sand

Sand

_____ is not one of the textural classes. a. Clay loam b. Sandy silt c. Silty clay d. Loamy sand

Sandy silt

Which of the following categories of Soil Taxonomy provides the greatest specificity of soil properties? a. Series b. Great group c. Suborder d. Family e. Order

Series

The use of sedimentation to separate sand, silt, and clay depends upon the fact that smaller particles ___. a. are less dense b. are more dense c. settle more rapidly d. settle more slowly

Settle more slowly

Which of the following is not a factor affecting CEC? a. Type of clay b. Organic matter content c. Soil structure d. Soil texture

Soil Structure

The amount of different sizes of mineral particles in a soil defines the soil ________.

Texture

Tillage has the least influence on _____. a. Bulk density b. Soil strength c. Structure d. Texture

Texture

The nomenclature of Soil Taxonomy is characterized by all but which one of the following statements? a. The names give a clear indication of the modes of genesis of the soil. b. The subgroup name also tells you the great group, suborder, and order names. c. The names of the orders all end with the letters sols. d. The names are based on measurable properties and not on presumed modes of genesis. e. Soil names (except for series level) identifies major soil characteristics.

The names give a clear indication of the modes of genesis of the soil.

Which of the following characteristics of topsoil differentiate it from the underlying subsoil? a. The topsoil contains more unweathered primary minerals. b. The subsoil shows evidence of greater chemical weathering. c. The topsoil has a higher organic matter content. d. All of the above

The topsoil has a higher organic matter content.

The height of the rise of water in a capillary tube is inversely proportional to what? a. The tube area b. The matrix potential c. The osmotic potential d. The tube radius

The tube radius

Weathering of primary minerals to form secondary minerals is an example of what type of process? a. additions b. illuviation c. transformations d. eluviation

Transformations

Which of the following statements is not correct? a. Where dense forests are found, soil profiles have prominent O horizons. b. Coniferous forests are found mostly in cool humid areas. c. Grasslands are found in semi-arid and sub-humid areas. d. The type of native vegetation is controlled primarily by climate. e. Tropical forests protect the soil from excessive weathering.

Tropical forests protect the soil from excessive weathering.

The _____ are Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic. a. types of rocks b. basic classes of soils c. master horizon names d. forms of minerals

Types of Rocks

Soils in which of the following soil suborders would most likely have a prominent E horizon under the A horizon? a. Orthents b. Udalfs c. Udolls d. Aquepts

Udalfs

A soil has a thick black A horizon, a distinct B horizon, has reasonably stable soil structure, and was formed under grassland natural vegetation. In which suborder is it most likely classed? a. ustalfs b. cambids c. udults d. aquents e. udolls

Udolls

Select the appropriate soil order: Highly weathered soils developed under forests in the humid areas. A true B horizon is present. The subsoil has a base saturation below 35%. a. Oxisols b. Ultisols c. Alfisols d. Inceptisols

Ultisols

Which of the following is an epipedon? a. Umbric b. Kandic c. Cambic d. Spodic

Umbric

If you were looking for a soil with high cation exchange capacity and were not concerned with the soils physical properties, which of the following would most likely fit your needs? a. Aridisol b. Oxisol c. Vertisol d. Ultisol

Vertisol

The loess layer found atop many Midwestern soils is an example of a _____ transported parent material. a. water b. gravity c. wind d. glacial

Wind

The water molecule is described as being dipolar. This means that water molecules can _____. a. move in two directions at the same time b. exhibit properties of both negative and positive charges simultaneously c. exist in a gas and a liquid phase at the same time d. dissolve more than one kind of substance

exhibit properties of both negative and positive charges simultaneously