Page 326 - New Medley 4 Semester 1

Alluvial Soil

Alluvial soil is the most fertile type of soil found

in India. It is found mostly in the Northern Plains

and in the deltas of the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the
Krishna and the Kaveri rivers. Many rivers originate
in the mountains. They bring a large amount of

sand, silt and clay with them. These are deposited Alluvial Soil
in the river valleys and in flood plains. This is called alluvium.

Black Soil

Black soil is also called the black cotton soil. It is
made up of lava rocks. Black soil is mainly found in

the Deccan Trap region of Maharashtra, Gujarat and
Madhya Pradesh. This soil is composed of very fine

clayey material. It can hold moisture for a long time.
It is widely used for producing cotton, sugarcane, Black Soil

wheat, millets, oilseeds and tobacco. Locally, it is called regur soil.

Red Soil

Red soil is formed from the igneous rocks in the hot

and dry parts of India. The red colour is due to the
presence of iron in it. This soil is less fertile. It is
found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and some parts of

Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

With the use of fertilisers and irrigation facilities, Red Soil
red soil can produce cotton, wheat, pulses, millets, tobacco and oilseeds.

Laterite Soil

Laterite soil develops in the areas of high temperature

and heavy rainfall. Such climatic conditions cause the
leaching of soils. Leaching occurs when heavy rains

wash away the fertile part of the soil. Laterite soil
is mainly found in the hilly areas of Maharashtra,

Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Laterite Soil

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