AGM 301- Agricultural Microbiology (1+1)

1. The dominant mineral particles in most soils are compounds of _____________

a) sodium
b) potassium
c) magnesium
d) iron
2. Which of the following organisms are known to grow on the surfaces of freshly exposed
rocks?
a) Green algae
b) diatoms
c) cyanobacteria
d) yeast
3. Nitrogen fixation by the microorganisms can be detected by adopting the approach of

A. demonstrating growth in a nitrogen free medium

B. cultivating the microorganisms in the presence of nitrogen labeled with isotropic nitrogen

C. measuring15N2 by mass spectrometer

D. all of the above

4. Nitrifying bacteria cannot be isolated directly by the usual techniques employed to isolate heterotrophic ba
to

A. slow growth

B. medium growth

C. fast growth

D. none of these

5. Bacteria, as a group, are responsible for

A. nitrogen oxidation

B. sulfur oxidation
 C. nitrogen fixation

D. all of these

6. The population of algae in soil is __________ that of either bacteria or fungi.

A. generally smaller than

B. generally greater than

C. equal to

D. none of these

7. The transformation of nitrates to gaseous nitrogen is accomplished by microorganisms in a series of bioche

known as

A. nitrification

B. denitrification

C. nitrogen fixation

D. ammonification

8. Nitrogen fixation refers to the direct conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas into
A. ammonia
B. glucose
C. ATP
D. nitrate

9. The diagnostic enzyme for denitrification is

A. nitrate reductase
B. nitrate oxidase
C. nitro oxidoreductase
D. none of these

10.A heterocyst is
 A. a type of spore

B. a terminally differentiated cell that fixes nitrogen

C. the progenitor of cyanobacterial vegetative cells

D. a cell that carries out oxygenic photosynthesis

11. Nitrogen oxidation (nitrification)refers to the

A. Conversion of ammonium ions into nitrates through the activities of certain bacteria.

B. changing of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to nitrogen compounds

C. sulfur is oxidized to the sulfate form through Thiobacillus bacteria

D. none of the above

12. An example of a symbiotic nitrogen fixer is

A. Azotobacter
B. Beijerinckia
C. Clostridium
D. Rhizobium

13. An example of a symbiotic nitrogen fixer is

A. Mycorrhizae are fungi that form a mutually beneficial (symbiotic) relationship with plant roots
B. The fungi aid in transmitting nutrients and water to the plant roots
C. The increased nutrient availability from mycorrhizae is thought to be due to the additional absorbing surfa
D. All of the above

14. In the process of nitrogen fixation, which of the following microorganism is involved?

A. Non symbiotic microorganisms only

B. Symbiotic microorganisms only

C. Non symbiotic and symbiotic microorganisms only

D. None of the above

15. The physical structure of soil is improved by the accumulation of

A. mold mycelium
B. minerals
C. water
D. all of these

16. __________ play a key role in the transformation of rock to soil.

A. Cyanobacteia

B. Pectin decomposing bacteria

C. Nitrifying bacteria

D. De-nitrifying bacteria

17. The crops which are involved in nitrogen fixation are

A. alfalfa and clover

B. soybean

C. bean and lupine

D. all of these

18. Denitrification may be distinguished as

A. dissimilative

B. assimilative

C. both (a) and (b)

D. blue baby syndrome

19. The conversion of molecular nitrogen into ammonia is known as

 A. nitrification

B. denitrification

C. nitrogen fixation

D. ammonification

20. Nitrogen fixation

A. changes the free nitrogen (N2) to a form usable by plants
B. especially changes nitrogen compounds, mostly amines such as NH2
C. both (a) and (b)
D. fix the free nitrogen (N2) by which it should not be usable by plants

21. The organisms responsible for the characteristic musty or earth odor of a freshly plowed field is/are

A. Nocardia

B. Streptomyces

C. Micromonospora

D. all of these

22. Denitrification is

A. reduction of nitrate (NO3-) to nitrogen gas

B. reduction of nitrate to organic nitrogen compounds

C. both (a) and (b)

D. changing of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to nitrogen compounds

23. The microbial ecosystem of soil includes

A. biotic components of soil

B. abiotic components of soil

C. biotic and abiotic components of soil

D. none of the above

24. The diagnostic enzyme for nitrogen-fixing organisms is

A. nitrogenase
B. nitrate reductase
C. nitrate oxidase
D. none of these

25. Which of the following fungi on infecting crop roots can improve their uptake of phosphorus and other nu
A. Saccharomyces cerevisiae
B. VA Mycorrhiza
C. Candida torulopsis
D. Aspergillus niger

26. Dssimilative denitrification is done by

A. plants
B. fungi
C. prokaryotes
D. all of these

27. Which of the following is not considered soil "fauna?"

a nematode

a prairie dog

an oak tree root

a mite

an earthworm

28. Autotrophs are defined as organisms that

can live without oxygen (air)

 do not need to consume any organic carbon

require oxygen to live

ingest and consume dead remains of other organisms

ingest and consume other live organisms

29. Detritivores are organisms that __________.

can live without oxygen (air)

do not need to consume any organic carbon

require oxygen to live

ingest and consume dead remains of other organisms

ingest and consume other live organisms

30. ________ make up most of the biomass in the soil

mesofauna

microfauna

microflora

macroorganisms

none of the above

31. Mycorrhizae consist of a mutually beneficial association of _____

and _____ .

fungi, plant roots

cyanobacteria, fungi

lichens, algae

roots, archaea
 humus, clay

32. You would be most likely to find microbiotic crusts on soil belonging to which soil order?

Spodosols

Oxisols

Ultisols

Gelisols

Aridisols

33. Nitrifying bacteria are ______

(A) Gram negative
(B) Minute
(C) Rod shaped
(D) All of the above
34. Soil microorganisms are most active at _______
(A) 15-20°C
(B) 20-25°C
(C) 34-36°C
(D) 40-45°C
35. A free living nitrogen fixing bacterium is _______
(A) Clostridium
(B) Azotobacter
(C) Rhizobium
(D) Both A and B
36. Heterocyst contains enzyme
(A) Pectinase
(B) Cellulase
(C) Nitrogenase
(D) Phosphorylase
37. Nitrification process is discovered by
a. Schloesing and Muntz (1877) b.Ruinen and Hiltner
c. Winogradsky and Beijernickia d. Beijernickia and Winogradsky
38. bacteria responsible for Nitrification is isolated by
a. Winogradsky b. Beijernickia c. Ruinen d. Hiltner
39. The first member of the genus Azotobacter is discovered by………..
a. M.W. Beijerinck b. Winogradsky c. Ruinen d. Hiltner
40. The word Rhizosphere and Phyllosphere is respectively given by
A. Hiltner and Ruinen B.Ruinen and Hiltner
C. Winogradsky and Beijernickia D. Beijernickia and Winogradsky
41. The term Mycorrhiza is termed by
a. Ruinen b. Hiltner c. AB Frank (1885) d. Winogradsky
42. Musty or Earthy odor of a freshly plowed field is due to
a. Nocardia b. Streptomyces c. Micromonospora d. All e. None
43. Winogradsky column is used
a. for isolation of purple and green phototrophic bacteria and other anaerobes
b. to measure the BOD
c. for the production of Sulphur
d. for the enumeration of Bacteria
44. Which groups of the organisms are responsible for in the dissolution of rocks, especially
those composed of limestone?
a. Chemoorganotrophs b. Photoautotrophs c. Photoorganotrophs
d. Chemoautotrophs
45. Dissolution of rocks is due to
a. Carbonic acid b. Organic acid c. freezing and thawing d. all of the above
46. Compound responsible for the distinctive “earthy” odor of soil is
a. Phytoalexins b. root exudates c. cellulose d. Geosmin
47. ………… is a common denitrifying bacteria?
a. Pseudomonas b. Nitrobacter c.Frankia d. Azospirillum
48. Formation of “infection thread” in certain root hairs is due to
a. Rhizobium bacteria b. pathogenic bacteria c.Frankia d. Azospirillum
49. The amount of nitrogen fixed by the non symbiotic process ranges between
a. 20-50lb/acre annually b 50-100 lb/ acre annually c. >200 lb/acre annually
50. Widely used inexpensive technique to measure nitrogen fixation depends on
a. capability of nitrogen fixing enzyme (nitrogenase) to act upon acetylene.
b. Ninhydrin test
c. comparison of growth of plants in nitrogen supplemented and non supplemented fields.
d. direct measurement of fixed nitrogen from the soil
51. Ratio of the Microorganisms in the rhizosphere compared to the microorganisms in the
bulk soil i.e R:S ratio typically ranges from
a. 2-5 b. 5-10 c. 10-50 d.4-8
52. Agricultural crops commonly contain ……………percentage of phosphorus in their tissue.
A. 0.05-0.5% B. 2.5-4% C. 2-3% D. 1-1.5%
53. ………….. is called as Father of Soil Microbiology.
A. Hiltner B Ruinen C Winogradsky D. Beijernickia
54. Chemoautotrophy is discovered by,
A. Hiltner B Ruinen C Winogradsky D. Beijernickia
55. Nitrogen Fixing stage of rhizobium is called
a. Rhizoid b. Bacteroid c. Viroid d. Bacteria
56. Which of the following is a strict anaerobic bacteria
a. Pseudomonas spp b. Bacillus c. E. coli d. Methanogenic bacteria
57. Most efficient strains for the oxidation of ammonia to NO 2 is
a. Nitrosococcus b. Nitrospira c. Nitrosomonas d. Nitrosolobus
58. Which of the follwing two genera do not contain species that fix nitrogen symbiotically.
a. Rhizobium b. Clostridium c. Frankia d. Anabaena
59. Eutrophication of lakes lead to overgrowth of
a. grasses b. algae and cyanobacteria c. fungi d. none of the above
60. Which physical factor promote the microbial population in soil
a. sand b. clay c. silt d. Loam soil
61. Which of the following organism is cellulytic actinomycetes
a. Micromonas b. Nocardia c. Streptomyces d. all of the above
62. In the order of abundance which is the commonest genera of actinomyctes in soil.
a. Streptomyces b. Nocardia c. Micromonas d. Actinoplanes
63. The percentage of ……… in the total microbial population increases with the depth of soil.
a. Bacteria b. Virus c. fungi d. Actinomycetes
64. ……………… are intolerant to acidity.
a. Bacteria b. Fungi c. Actinomycetes d. None
65. Viruses do not attack
a. Bacteria b. Fungi c. Actinomycetes d. Attacks all
66. Blue Baby Syndrome or Methemoglobinemia may be due to
a. Excessive Nitrates in drinking water
b. pyocyanin compound of Pseudomonas
c. sulfur contamination of water
d. both a and b
67. Loam is a soil composed of
a. Sand, Silt and Clay in equal proportion b. sand predominates c. clay predominates c the
amount of sand and silt is equals to that of clay
68. Nitrite oxidizing bacteria are
a. Nitrobacter b. Nitrospira c. Nitrococcus d. All
69. Ammonia oxidizing bacteria are
a. Nitrosomonas b. Nirosococcus c. Nirosolobus d. Nitrosovibrio e. All
70. Nitrogen fixation by microorganisms is detected by
a. measuring the amount of nitrogen in soil b. demonstration of growth in Nitrogen free
medium c. rotation of the crops d. it is impossible to demonstrate
71. Anaerobic Non symbiotic nitrogen fixing organism is/are
a. Clostridium pasteurianum b. Azotobacter c. Both d. None
72. Molybdenum metal is a component of enzyme complex and play a role in
a. Carbon cycle b. Nitrogen Fixation c. Sulphur oxidation d. Denitrification
73. Leghemoglobin is
a. a type of hemoglobin responsible for carrying oxygen to tissues
b. red, iron containing protein, which has role in Nitrogen fixation
c. hemoglobin with sickle shape
d: hemoglobin responsible for phosphate solubilization
74. Rhizospheric effect is a type of ………… interaction
a. Neutralism b. commensalisms c. Synergism d. Mutalism
75. Microbial community in area of low PH is dominated by
a. Actinomycetes b. Protozoa c. Fungi d. bacteria
76. Rhizobium and Azotobacter were discovered by
a. Beijernck b. Winogradsky c. Ruinen d. Hiltner
77. An obligate anaerobe, Clostridium pasteurianum, which is capable of fixing atmospheric
nitrogen was identified by
a. Louis Pasteur b. Beijerinck c. Winogradsky d. Ruinen
78. The percentage of sulfur/phosphorus in the earths crust is
a. 0.1 b. 0.2 c. 1 d. 3
79. Lignin metabolism is triggered by……….
a. N, S, or C starvation b.Supplement of N and C c. addition of cellulose and
hemicellulose d. supplement of C, N and S
80. Lignin ………cellulose and hemicellulose decomposition.
a. Increases b. decreases c. acclerates d.does not alter
81. …….. of soil microbial population solubilizes phosphorus.
a. 10%
b. 20%
c 40%
d. 50%
82. Mechanism of phosphorus solubilization is by
a. chelation
b. iron reduction
c. acid production
d. all of the above
83. In a food chain consisting of the following, which acts as the decomposer
a. Protozoa b. Algae c. helminth d. fungi
84. …………forms stem nodules.
a. Azorhizobium
b. Bradyrhizobium
c. Rhizobium
d. cyanobacteria
85. ……..have been used for centuries to enrich ride paddies
a. Anabaena azollae
b. Frankia
c. Azospirillum lipoferum
d. Rhizobium
86. which region of the soil profile is also called surface soil
a. C horizon b. A horizon c. O horizon d. B horizon
87. Siderophores are
a. high affinity iron chelating compound
b. those which transport iron into bacterial cell
c. none
d. both
88. Application of the ammonium containing fertilizers………..
a. suppress the bacterial community
b. increases fungal population
c. both of the above
d. none of the above
89. phyllospheric organisms does not take part in
a. mineralization
b. fertilizer effect
c. growth hormone production
d. all
90. Heterocysts are
a. specialized nitrogen fixing cells
b. formed by cyanobacteria
c. formed during nitrogen starvation
 d. all of the above
91. ….. soil is considered ideal for gardening and agricultural purposes.
a. loam soil b. clay soil c. sand soil d. silt soil
92. Azotobacter is
a. cyst forming bacteria
b. does not produce spores
c. strict aerobe
d. all of the above
93. diazotrophs are
a. organisms capable of nitrogen fixation b. organisms such as rhizobia, frankia, azospirillium
c both of the above d. none of the above
94. Which of the following horizon is dominant reservoir of Microbial food
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. O
95. …………. is also known as fat of the land.
a. clay soil
b. Humus
c. triglycerides
d. lignin
96. Humus………….
a. consists of partially decomposed organic matter
b. dominant food reservoir
c. also called fat of the land
d. all of the above
97. ……. is an undesirable process from the standpoint of agriculture.
a. phosphorus solubilization
b. Denitrification
c. Nitrification
d. both a and b
98. Denitrification processes……………..
a. is an example of aerobic respiration b. Remove nitrogen from soil
c. occurs when oxygen supply is abundant d. all of the above
99. Nitrate and phosphate contamination of aquatic ecosystem causes
a. alagal bloom
b. acclerated eutrophication
c. suffocation of aquatic aerobes
d. all of the above
100. The order of soil population is
a. Bacteria >Actinomycetes >Fungi >Algae> Protozoa
b. Actinomycetes> Bacteria >Fungi>Protozoa> Algae
c. Bacteria> Protozoa> Fungi >Actinomycetes> Algae
d. Bacteria >Fungi >Actinomycetes> Algae >Protozoa
101. Which one is responsible for denitrification
a. Nitrobacter
b. Pseudomonas
c. Bacillus
d. both b and c
102. ……… make up a large percentage of rhizosphere than of the normal soil flora
a. Short gram negative rods
b. Gram positive rods
c. spore forming bacteria
d. Arthobacter group
103. Organic soil may contain bacteria up to …………. in significant number.
a. 10 cm
b. 20 cm
c. 160 cm
d. 40 cm
104. Lignin percentage of plant material is
a. 2-5% b. 5-10% c. 15-25% d. 5-30%
105. In plant phosphorus is found in the form of
a. phytin b. phosphorylated sugars c. phospholipid d. all of the above
106. Most common cellulose fermenter in nature are the member of ……..
a. Clostridium b. Azotobacter c. Frankia d. Fusarium
107. Normal C:N ratio in humus is
a. 10:1 b.1:10 c 10:4 d. 10:3
108. Rice husk is least degradable type of solid waste because of
a. high C:N ratio b. low C:N ratio c. lack of water d. due to lignin
109. The carbon and nitrogen content of humus is respectively
a. 60% ,3-6%
b. 40%, 5%
c. 20%, 1%
d. 15%, 25%
110. Phytoalexins are
a. antimicrobial substances b.synthesized denovo by the plants c.both of the above d
none
111. Which of the followings are examples of mutalism……..
a. Lichens b. Endosymbionts c. Mycorrhizae d. all of the above
112. ……is a bacteria which is a parasite of other bacteria
a. bdevellovibrio b. Rickesttsiae c. Bateriophage d. Viruses
113. Which organism prefer dry condition
a. Actinomycetes b. fungi c. bacteria d. protozoa
114. The association which involves the exchange of nutrients between two species is
referred to as ______________
a) mutualism
b) syntrophism
c) commensalism
d) antagonism

115. The degradation of complex molecules in soil by fungi for utilization by bacteria is an
example of which type of association?
a) Neutralism
b) Mutualism
c) Commensalism
d) Antagonism

116. Which of the following types of association is present among Staphylococcus aureus and
Aspergillus terreous?
a) antagonism
b) mutualism
c) parasitism
d) commensalism

117. Lytic enzymes which destroy are secreted by which of the following microorganism?
a) fungi
b) algae
c) staphylococcus
d) myxobacteria

118. Fungi produces which of the following inhibitory toxic product?

a) cyanide
b) fatty acids
c) methane
d) sulphides

119. Which of the following comes under the category of positive association?
a) neutralism
b) parasitism
c) commensalism
d) ammensalism

120. Parasitism results from competition among organisms for essential nutrients.
a) True
b) False
121. The dominant mineral particles in most soils are compounds of _____________
a) sodium
b) potassium
c) magnesium
d) iron

122. Bacteria are likely to be more prevalent in soils of vineyards, orchards and apiaries.
a) True
b) False

123. Which of the following organisms are known to grow on the surfaces of freshly exposed
rocks?
a) Green algae
b) Diatoms
c) Cyanobacteria
d) Yeast

124. Ammonia oxidizers and nitrite oxidizers are ________________________

a) Gram-negative chemolithotrophs
b) Gram-positive chemolithotrophs
c) Gram-negative photolithotrophs
d) Gram-positive photolithotrophs

125. Alanine gives pyruvic acid on deamination.

a) True
b) False

126. Nitrosococcus nitrosus is a nitrite-oxidizing bacteria.

a) True
b) False

127. Which among the following is not an ammonia-oxidizing bacteria?

a) Nitrosomonas europaea
b) Nitrosovibrio tenuis
c) Nitrospina gracilis
d) Nitrosococcus oceanus

128. Agrobacterium is involved in which of the following processes?

a) Ammonification
b) Nitrification
c) Reduction of nitrate to ammonia
d) Denitrification

129. Which of the following conditions decreases the level of denitrification?

a) Abundance of organic matter
b) Acidic pH
c) Elevated temperatures
d) Availability of oxygen

130. Which of the following are not the features of component II of nitrogenase enzyme
complex?
a) component II is nitrogenase reductase
b) component II is known as the MoFe protein
c) contains sulfur
d) not active without component I

131. Which of the following is a symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria?

a) Rhizobium trifolii
b) Clostridium pasteurianum
c) Azotobacter sp.
d) Escherichia coli

132. Nitrogen that is used by plants is in the form of...

a) Nitrogen monoxide
b) Nitrates
c) Oxygen
d) Nitrite
134. What do plants do with the nitrogen they absorb?
 a) Kill other plants
b) Used it in photosynthesis
c) To build protein
135. Animals absorb nitrogen through eating plants.
a) True
b) False
136. When is ammonia released?
a) The breaking down of dead animals by fungi and bacteria
b) When animals fart
c) Dougs hair
137. What is the function of nitrifing bacteria?
a) The conversion of nitrates into ammonia.
b) The conversion of ammonia into nitrates
c) The conversion of nitrates into nitrogen monoxide.
138. Where is nitrogen fixing bacteria found?
a) In soil
b) In plant roots
c) In bacteria
d) Both a & b
139. Which among the following are the most important agents for carbon dioxide fixation?
a) Bacteria
b) Fungi
c) Algae
d) Protozoa
140. Cellulose is degraded to cellobiose by the enzyme __________________
a) Cellulase
b) Beta-glucosidase
c) Hexokinase
d) Cellulose dehydrogenase
141. Cysteine breaks down in presence of cysteine desulfurase to give _________________
a) oxaloacetic acid
b) sulphuric acid
c) pyruvic acid
d) glyoxalate

142. Which of the following processes is performed by Thiobacillus thiooxidans?

a) converting sulphur to sulphates
b) converting sulphur to sulphides
c) converting sulphur to sulphites
d) converting organic sulphur to inorganic sulphur

143. Sulphates are reduced to hydrogen sulphide by _____________________

a) Desulfotomaculum sp.
b) Thiobacillus thiooxidans
c) Photosynthetic sulfur bacteria
d) Rhodospirillum

144. The Winogradsky column experiment is done in the dark.

a) True
b) False

145. The reduction of sulphates and sulphites to hydrogen sulphide is done by which group of
bacteria?
a) aerobic sulfate-reducing bacteria
b) photosynthetic sulphur bacteria
c) anaerobic sulphate-reducing bacteria
d) heterotrophic bacteria

146. Which among the following develop in the upper portion of the Winogradsky column?
a) Sulfate-reducing bacteria
b) Green-sulfur bacteria
c) Purple-sulfur bacteria
d) Thiobacilli

147. Purple and green sulfur bacteria use ___________________ as the electron donor to
reduce carbon dioxide.
a) S2-
b) SO42-
c) H2S
d) Organic acids

148. Which among the following is a non-sulfur purple bacteria?

a) Rhodomicrobium
b) Thiobacillus
c) Chromatium
d) Chlorobium

149. The endomycorrhizal association is present in

a) 10% of plant families

b) 40% of plant families

c) 85% of plant families

d) less than 5% of plant families

150. Which of the following is a N2 fixing actinomycete

a) Acetobacter

b) Azotobacter

c) Frankia

d) Azospirillum

151. The major advantage of a plant with VAM is

a) Increased N2 absorption

b) Increased P absorption

c) Increased K absorption

d) Increased Mn absorption

152. Which of the following is N2 fixing bacterium living in association with sugarcane?

a) Acetobacter

b) Azotobacter

c) Frankia

d) Azospirillum

153. Which of the following is N2 fixing bacteria associated with roots of C4 plants like maize,
sugarcane?

a) Azospirillum
b) Clostridium

c) Azotobacter

d) Bacillus polymyxa

154. Azolla is widely used as nitrogen fixer in

a) Paddy fields

b) Corn fields

c) Maize fields

d) All of the above

155. The advantage of plants in mycorrhizal association is

a) Food

b) Protection

c) Increased mineral absorption and disease protection

d) all of these

156. Anabaena, a nitrogen fixer is present in the root pockets of

a) Salvinia

b) Marselia

c) Azolla

d) Pistia

157. Azolla is used as biofertilizer as it has

a) Rhizobium

b) Cyanobacteria

c) Mycorrhiza

d) large quantity of humus

158. The most quickly available source of nitrogen to plants are

a) amide fertilizers
b) ammonia fertilizers

c) nitrate fertilizers

d) ammonia nitrate fertilizer

159. Organisms associated with sorghum and cotton, which provide nutrition to them are

a) Azospirillium, Azotobacter

b) Azotobacter, Azospirillum

c) Anabaena, Rhizobium

d) Rhizobium, Azotobacter

160. Azolla as biofertilizer, increases the yield of rice fields by

a) 10%

b) 20%

c) 30%

d) 50%