Consider the following features of the soil profile characteristic of the high-altitude Western Ghats regions in Kerala: 1. Leaching of silica due to heavy tropical rainfall. 2. Accumulation of iron and aluminium oxides. 3. High acidity and low organic retention. Which soil type does this describe?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Laterite soil develops in tropical regions experiencing high temperatures and heavy alternating wet and dry spells, which causes intense leaching that washes away silica and concentrates iron and aluminium oxides. Alluvial soils are formed by river deposition, whereas black cotton soils are formed from weathered volcanic basalt and possess high moisture retention. Laterite soils are characteristically acidic and deficient in organic matter. Soil classification questions are a staple of Indian agricultural and geographical geography syllabi.