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Difficulty: HardSoils, Natural Vegetation, and Agriculture in India

With reference to Laterite soils and their associated vegetation and agricultural patterns in India, consider the following statements:

1. Laterite soils are characterized by an abundance of iron oxide and aluminium compounds, but are severely depleted in nitrogen, phosphate, and calcium due to tropical leaching.
2. Red laterite soils found in parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala are particularly suitable for growing tree crops such as cashew nut.
3. High rainfall in laterite soil regions leads to a deep, rich accumulation of organic humus because microorganisms cannot decompose plant matter in high humidity.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    2 and 3 only
  3. C
    1 and 3 only
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

Statements 1 and 2 are correct, whereas statement 3 is incorrect.
The correct response identifies that statements 1 and 2 accurately describe Laterite soils. Intense monsoon leaching removes silica, leaving behind iron oxides and aluminium, while depleting nitrogen, phosphate, and lime. When managed properly, red laterites in southern coastal states are well-suited for tree crops such as cashew nut. Statement 3 is wrong because high temperatures foster rapid microbial decay of organic matter, rendering laterite soils low in humus.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Statement 1 regarding chemical composition and leaching.
Laterite soils are formed in regions with high temperature and heavy seasonal rainfall. Intense leaching washes away silica, leaving the soil rich in oxides of iron and aluminium, while rendering it deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and base elements. Statement 1 is correct.
Evaluates pedological formation processes under monsoon climatic regimes.
2
Analyze Statement 2 regarding agricultural suitability for plantation crops.
With appropriate soil conservation and fertilizer application, red laterite soils in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh are widely used for tree crops like cashew nut, tapioca, and tea. Statement 2 is correct.
Evaluates crop-soil alignment across Peninsular India.
3
Analyze Statement 3 regarding organic matter and humus content.
High temperatures promote thriving bacterial growth that rapidly consumes organic humus, while heavy rains wash away humus deeper into the subsoil. Consequently, laterite soils are notoriously poor in organic humus. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Identifies common misconception regarding high biomass regions versus actual soil humus retention.

Key Concept

Pedological characteristics, leaching dynamics, and crop suitability of Laterite soils in Peninsular India
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Soils, Natural Vegetation, and Agriculture in India

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