Soil Health Card Challenge Quiz

Explore essential concepts of soil health management in agriculture, including key practices and indicators to support sustainable farming. This quiz covers basics that help both farmers and learners understand soil care for productive growth.

1. Understanding Soil Health

   Which of the following best describes 'soil health' in agriculture?

   1. The soil's capacity to function as a living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans
   2. The color and texture of the soil surface
   3. The ability of soil to absorb only water
   4. The total weight of rocks present in the soil

   Explanation: Soil health refers to the soil's overall functionality as a living ecosystem. Color and texture describe physical aspects but not health, rocks in soil might impact structure but are unrelated to health itself, and water absorption alone does not reflect the broader biological and chemical activity involved.

2. Soil Health Card Purpose

   What is the main purpose of providing farmers with a Soil Health Card?

   1. To track daily laborer attendance
   2. To document crop varieties grown in the field
   3. To inform farmers about the local weather forecast
   4. To recommend appropriate fertilizer and soil amendments based on soil analysis

   Explanation: Soil Health Cards guide farmers in managing nutrient input by assessing their soil's nutrient status. Weather data, crop records, and labor attendance are unrelated to soil nutrient or amendment recommendations.

3. Soil pH Importance

   Why is monitoring soil pH important for farmers managing soil health?

   1. Because soil pH tells how much air is in the field
   2. Because soil pH directly measures crop yield
   3. Because soil pH indicates how much sand is in the soil
   4. Because soil pH affects nutrient availability for plants

   Explanation: Soil pH significantly impacts how plants absorb nutrients. It does not measure sand content, yield, or air in the soil. Incorrect pH can limit or lock out essential nutrients for crops.

4. Organic Matter Role

   Which practice is most effective for increasing organic matter in the soil?

   1. Adding compost or farmyard manure regularly
   2. Spraying pesticides frequently
   3. Flooding the fields continuously
   4. Using only chemical fertilizers

   Explanation: Regular incorporation of compost or manure adds organic material, improving soil health. Pesticides and chemical fertilizers may not help organic matter, and flooding can cause nutrient loss and reduce biological activity.

5. Soil Erosion Prevention

   A farmer wants to prevent soil erosion on sloping land. Which soil health management practice should they use?

   1. Leaving the land bare after harvest
   2. Only deep ploughing the field
   3. Planting cover crops or grasses
   4. Burning all crop residues

   Explanation: Cover crops and grasses help protect soil from erosion by holding it in place with their roots. Bare soil is vulnerable, burning residues removes protective cover, and deep ploughing may increase erosion risks on slopes.