Black soil is also known as 'Black _____ Soil'.
Cotton
Understanding Black Soil and Its Names
Black soil is a type of soil known by different names in various parts of India and globally. One of the most common alternative names for black soil is linked directly to a major crop that grows exceptionally well in it.
This soil is highly fertile and has excellent moisture-retaining capacity, making it ideal for certain types of agriculture. The question asks for one of its common names.
Why Black Soil is Known as 'Black Cotton Soil'
Black soil is particularly well-suited for cultivating cotton. The properties of black soil, such as its clayey texture, ability to retain moisture, and richness in nutrients like calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime, provide an excellent environment for cotton plants to thrive.
Because cotton is so successfully grown in this soil type, it has earned the name 'Black Cotton Soil'. This highlights the strong relationship between the soil and the crop it supports.
Let's look at the given options:
- Cotton: As explained, black soil is famously known for cotton cultivation, leading to the name 'Black Cotton Soil'.
- Bajara: Bajra (pearl millet) is often grown in sandy or loamy soils, which are different from black soil.
- Maize: Maize (corn) can adapt to various soil types but typically prefers well-drained, fertile loamy soils, not specifically black soil.
- Rice: Rice cultivation requires soils that can remain flooded or saturated, such as alluvial or clayey soils with poor drainage. While black soil is clayey, it is not the primary soil type associated with extensive rice cultivation compared to other soil types like alluvial soil in river deltas.
Therefore, the name 'Black Cotton Soil' is a widely recognized alternative name for black soil due to its suitability for growing cotton.
Key Characteristics of Black Soil
- Colour: Ranges from deep black to grey.
- Texture: Clayey, known for being sticky when wet and cracking when dry.
- Moisture Retention: High capacity to hold moisture.
- Nutrients: Rich in lime, potash, magnesia, and alumina. Deficient in phosphoric content and nitrogen.
- Formation: Formed from the weathering of basaltic rock, often associated with volcanic regions.
- Other Names: Also known as Regur Soil.
| Soil Type | Associated Crop (Common Name) | Suitability with Black Soil |
|---|---|---|
| Black Soil | Cotton | Highly suitable, hence the name 'Black Cotton Soil'. |
| Black Soil | Bajara | Less suitable compared to other soil types. |
| Black Soil | Maize | Less suitable compared to other soil types. |
| Black Soil | Rice | Suitable clayey properties, but not the primary soil type for widespread rice cultivation compared to others. |
Based on its strong association with cotton cultivation, black soil is commonly called 'Black Cotton Soil'.
Revision Table: Black Cotton Soil Facts
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Another Name | Black Cotton Soil, Regur Soil |
| Ideal Crop | Cotton |
| Key Property | High moisture retention |
| Texture | Clayey |
| Formation | Weathering of basalt |
Additional Information: Soil Types in India
India has various soil types, each with unique characteristics and suitability for different crops. Understanding these soil types is crucial for agriculture.
- Alluvial Soil: Found in river plains (e.g., Indo-Gangetic plain). Very fertile, good for wheat, rice, sugarcane.
- Black Soil (Regur Soil): Found in the Deccan Plateau region. Best for cotton, also suitable for sugarcane, groundnut.
- Red and Yellow Soil: Found in parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Southern parts of the Middle Ganga Plain. Suitable for groundnut, ragi, potato.
- Laterite Soil: Found in areas with high rainfall and temperature. Suitable for tea, coffee, cashew nuts.
- Arid Soil: Found in dry regions (e.g., Rajasthan). Sandy texture, low fertility. Suitable for drought-resistant crops like bajra, jowar.
- Forest Soil: Found in hilly and mountainous areas. Varies in fertility.
Black soil covers a significant area of India and is vital for its agricultural economy, particularly for cotton production.
Important Questions from Biogeography
Alluvial soils vary in nature from sandy loam to clay. They are generally
The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions?
1. Burrowing animals and termites
2. Fire
3. Grazing herbivores
4. Seasonal rainfall
5. Soil properties
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
“Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees.” This is the most likely description of
Which of the following statement is not correct?
I. Laterite soil is useful for growing tea and coffee.
II. Laterite soils are formed in areas of high temperature and heavy rainfall.
Which of the following statement is correct?
I. Khadar soil is more fertile than Bhangar soil.
II. Laterite soils are the result of excessive leaching from heavy rainfall.
