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Difficulty: EasySoils, Natural Vegetation, and Agriculture in India

Which soil type covers the largest geographical area in India and is formed primarily by the sediment deposition of major river systems?

  1. Alluvial soilAnswer
  2. B
    Black soil
  3. C
    Red soil
  4. D
    Laterite soil

Answer

Alluvial soil
Alluvial soil covers approximately 43 percent of the total land area of India. It is formed by depositional work carried out by rivers in the Indo-Gangetic plains, deltaic regions, and river valleys, making it the most extensive and agriculturally important soil group in the country.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary mechanism of formation described in the stem.
Sediment deposition by river systems (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, and peninsular coastal rivers) forms alluvial deposits.
Sedimentation in river basins and plains is the defining pedogenic process of alluvial soils.
2
Compare the spatial coverage of major Indian soil groups.
Alluvial soils occupy around 43% (~143 million hectares), Red soils ~18%, Black soils ~15%, and Laterite soils ~4-5%.
Quantitative spatial distribution confirms alluvial soil is the largest soil group in India.

Key Concept

Spatial distribution and formation of Indian soils
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Soils, Natural Vegetation, and Agriculture in India

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