Which of the following soil types is predominantly found in the regions of the Deccan Trap and is exceptionally suited for cotton cultivation due to high moisture retention?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Black cotton soil, widely known as Regur, develops extensively over the basaltic lava flows of the Deccan Trap region and possesses high clay content that imparts exceptional moisture retention capacity. Unlike laterite soils that suffer from intense leaching or alluvial soils that are formed by river deposition, black soil swells significantly when wet and shrinks with deep cracks when dry. This unique self-ploughing property makes it immensely fertile and ideal for dryland farming of cotton across western and central India.