Which of the following soil types, locally known as 'regur', is formed from the weathering of basaltic lava rocks and is predominantly found across the northwest Deccan plateau region?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Black cotton soil, or regur, is derived from the weathering of volcanic basalt traps under semi-arid climatic conditions, characterized by high clay content, moisture retention, and characteristic self-churning cracking behavior when dry. Laterite soils develop in areas with high temperature and heavy leaching rainfall. Red soils form on crystalline igneous rocks in low-rainfall eastern peninsular tracts. Black soils are exceptionally fertile for dryland cotton farming.