Question:

Followings are the statements with respect to the addition of liming materials in the soils.
(A). All liming materials (oxides, hydroxides or carbonates) when applied to an acid soil react with carbon dioxide and water to yield bicarbonates.
(B). When applied to an acid soil, the hydrogen and aluminium in the liming materials replace the magnesium and calcium on the colloidal complex.
(C). Applied carbonate and bicarbonate liming materials replace hydrogen and aluminum on the colloidal complex leading to the evolution of free carbondioxide
(D). Adsorption of calcium and magensium ions raises the percentage base saturation of the colloidal complex in turn decreasing the soil pH.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Show Hint

In competitive exams, when a chemically correct pair (like A and C) is missing from the options due to a typographical error, identify the incorrect options (D is definitely false because liming raises pH), and pick the closest option by process of elimination.
  • B and C only.
  • A and D only.
  • A and B only.
  • B and D only.
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Soil liming is the agricultural practice of applying alkaline calcium and magnesium compounds to acid soils to reduce acidity, raise pH, and improve crop growth.
The chemistry of liming involves neutralization reactions that alter the cation composition on the soil exchange complex.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let us analyze the chemical validity of each statement:
Statement (A) states that all liming materials react with $\text{CO}_2$ and $\text{H}_2\text{O}$ to yield bicarbonates.
This is correct because oxides ($CaO$), hydroxides ($Ca(OH)_2$), and carbonates ($CaCO_3$) are converted into highly soluble calcium bicarbonate ($Ca(HCO_3)_2$) under the influence of soil carbonic acid:
\[ \text{CaCO}_3 + \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{CO}_2 \rightarrow \text{Ca(HCO}_3)_2 \]
Statement (B) states that hydrogen and aluminum in the liming materials replace magnesium and calcium on the complex.
This is chemically incorrect as written, because liming materials contain calcium and magnesium, which replace hydrogen and aluminum on the clay complex.
However, if we look at the official option choices, there is a likely typographical error in the exam paper where "A and C only" (which are the two true statements) was mistakenly compiled as "A and B only" (Option 3).
Statement (C) is scientifically correct; applied liming materials replace hydrogen and aluminum on the complex, generating carbonic acid which dissociates to release free carbon dioxide gas:
\[ \text{Al/H-Clay} + \text{Ca(HCO}_3)_2 \rightarrow \text{Ca-Clay} + \text{Al(OH)}_3 + \text{CO}_2 \uparrow \]
Statement (D) is incorrect because adsorption of calcium and magnesium raises base saturation, which ______increases______ (not decreases) soil pH.
Given the choices, Option 3 (A and B only) is the designated key, reflecting a paper typo for "A and C only".

Step 3: Final Answer:

Based on the provided options, the correct answer is represented by option (C).
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Top ICAR AIEEA Basics of Soil Science Questions

View More Questions