Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q9 (CDS-II/2016) Economy › Agriculture & Rural Economy › Fertilizers and soil nutrients Answer Verified

Dolomite powder is applied in some agricultural lands. The purpose of applying it is to

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: A
Explanation

Dolomite powder, a mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate [CaMg(CO3)2], is primarily used in agriculture as a liming material to correct soil acidity. In many agricultural lands, soil becomes acidic due to leaching or intensive farming, which negatively impacts nutrient availability [1]. Applying dolomite powder increases the soil pH, making it more alkaline or neutral. This process, known as liming, works because the carbonate ions in dolomite react with and neutralize hydrogen ions in the soil. Beyond pH adjustment, dolomite provides essential plant nutrients like calcium and magnesium, which improve soil structure and fertility. While it can indirectly enhance the availability of other nutrients by optimizing the pH environment, its direct and primary chemical purpose in soil amendment is to raise the pH level to a range suitable for crop growth.

Sources

  1. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 25: Agriculture > Podzoliziition: > p. 368
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
75%
got it right
✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CAPF · 2012 · Q42 Relevance score: -0.39

Bleaching powder is added in water used for drinking purpose. The role of bleaching powder in this case is

IAS · 2018 · Q82 Relevance score: -2.12

With reference to agricultural soils, consider the following statements : 1. A high content of organic matter in soil drastically reduces its water holding capacity. 2. Soil does not play any role in the sulphur cycle. 3. Irrigation over a period of time can contribute to the salinization of some agricultural lands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2003 · Q45 Relevance score: -2.40

Consider the following statements The purpose of adding sodium sulphate and sodium silicate to the detergent in a washing powder is 1. To keep the washing powder dry 2. To maintain the alkalinity of the powder Which of these statements is/are correct?

IAS · 2017 · Q71 Relevance score: -3.34

Which of the following practices can help in water conservation in agriculture ? 1. Reduced or zero tillage of the land 2. Applying gypsum before irrigating the field 3. Allowing crop residue to remain in the field Select the correct answer using the code given below :

CDS-II · 2012 · Q91 Relevance score: -4.05

Farmers are requested to mix lime with soil while farming their fields. This is because