Question

Briefly explain Laterite soils , Arid soils , and Forest soils

Answer 1

Answer:

Arid soils range from red to brown in colour.

They are generally sandy in structure and

saline in nature. In some areas, the salt content

is so high that common salt is obtained by

evaporating the saline water. Due to the dry

climate, high temperature and accelerated

evaporation, they lack moisture and humus.

Nitrogen is insufficient and the phosphate

Laterite has been derived from the Latin word

‘Later’ which means brick. The laterite soils

develop in areas with high temperature and

high rainfall. These are the result of intense

leaching due to tropical rains. With rain, lime

and silica are leached away, and soils rich in

iron oxide and aluminium compound are left

behind. Humus content of the soil is removed

fast by bacteria that thrives well in high

temperature. These soils are poor in organic

matter, nitrogen, phosphate and calcium,

while iron oxide and potash are in excess.

Hence, laterites are not suitable for cultivation;

however, application of manures and fertilisers

are required for making the soils fertile for

cultivation.

Red laterite soils in Tamil Nadu, Andhra

Pradesh and Kerala are more suitable for tree

crops like cashewnut.

Laterite soils are widely cut as bricks for

use in house construction. These soils have

mainly developed in the higher areas of the

Peninsular plateau. The laterite soils are

commonly found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil

Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and the hilly areas ofengal, Orissa and Tamil Nadu.

Forest Soils

As the name suggests, forest soils are formed in

the forest areas where sufficient rainfall is

available. The soils vary in structure and texture

depending on the mountain environment where

they are formed. They are loamy and silty on

valley sides and coarse-grained in the upper

slopes. In the snow-bound areas of the

Himalayas, they experience denudation, and

are acidic with low humus content. The soils

found in the lower valleys are fertile.

It is evident from the foregoing discussions

that soils, their texture, quality and nature are

vital for the germination and growth of plant

and vegetation including crops. Soils are living

systems. Like any other organism, they too

develop and decay, get degraded, respond to

proper treatment if administered in time. These

have serious repercussions on other

components of the system of which they

themselves are important parts.

Answer 2

LATERITE SOIL

• It is a rocky type soil rich in iron and aluminium.
• It is developed by intensive weathering of the underlying parent rock
• They are easily tillable.

ARID SOIL

• It is also known as desert soils.
• It is bcz they are soils if desert or semi desert regions.
• The soil has sandy texture and salinity.
• These soil are not suitable for major crop production.

FOREST SOIL

• These are very acidic.
• Their chemical fertility is generally limited.
• These are formed due to the mechanical weathering caused by snow,rain.

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