Consider the following statements regarding the Laterite soils of India: 1. They develop in areas with high temperature and high heavy rainfall with alternate wet and dry periods. 2. Due to intense leaching, these soils are rich in iron oxide and aluminium but poor in nitrogen and potash. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Laterite soils develop in regions characterized by high temperatures and heavy rainfall featuring alternating wet and dry phases, which accelerate chemical leaching. Intense leaching washes away silica and soluble nutrients, leaving soils rich in iron and aluminium oxides while remaining deficient in nitrogen and potash. Other options fail to capture both accurate characteristics. Laterite soils are extensively found in parts of Karnataka, Kerala, and Odisha, and are well suited for cashew cultivation.