Question

Match List I with List II

List I (Process of decomposition)	List II (Explanation)
(A). Leaching	(I). Bacterial and fungal enzymatic degradation of detritus
(B). Catabolism	(II). Accumulation of partially decomposed dark colloidal substance
(C). Humification	(III). Degradation of humus by microbes to release inorganic nutrients
(D). Mineralization	(IV). Percolation of water-soluble inorganic nutrients into soil

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• (A) - (IV), (B) - (I), (C) - (II), (D) - (III)
• (A) - (II), (B) - (IV), (C) - (I), (D) - (III)
• (A) - (I), (B) - (II), (C) - (IV), (D) - (III)
• (A) - (III), (B) - (IV), (C) - (I), (D) - (II)

Hint:

Leaching is washing down of nutrients, humification forms humus and mineralization releases inorganic nutrients from humus.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept
Decomposition has several steps, such as fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralization.

Step 2: Match each process
Leaching is percolation of water-soluble nutrients into soil, so A matches IV.
Catabolism is enzymatic breakdown of detritus by bacteria and fungi, so B matches I.
Humification is accumulation of dark colloidal humus, so C matches II.
Mineralization is release of inorganic nutrients from humus, so D matches III.

Step 3: Select the option
This is A-IV, B-I, C-II, D-III, given in option A.

Final Answer:
The correct matching is A-IV, B-I, C-II, D-III. \[ \boxed{\text{(A) }\text{(A) - (IV), (B) - (I), (C) - (II), (D) - (III)}} \]