1. Calcium
2. Nitrogen
3. Phosphate
4. Potash
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Laterite Soil Composition in India
Laterite soils are a specific type of soil found predominantly in the tropical and subtropical regions of India. They are formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall, which leads to a process called leaching. During leaching, soluble materials like silica and bases (such as calcium, potassium, magnesium) are washed away, leaving behind oxides of iron and aluminium. This process results in soils that are characteristically rich in iron and aluminium but often poor in essential plant nutrients.
Nutrient Analysis of Laterite Soil Options
Let's examine the typical nutrient status of Laterite soils concerning the options provided:
- Calcium (Ca): Laterite soils are typically acidic. This acidity contributes to the leaching of calcium from the soil profile, making it generally deficient in this essential nutrient.
- Nitrogen (N): These soils are usually very low in nitrogen content. The high temperatures encourage rapid decomposition of organic matter, and the heavy rainfall washes away nitrogen compounds.
- Phosphate (P): Phosphorus is often deficient in Laterite soils. A significant portion of the available phosphate can get chemically fixed (bound) by the abundant iron and aluminium oxides present in the soil, rendering it unavailable for plant uptake.
- Potash (K): Potash is also generally found in low amounts in Laterite soils. Like calcium and other bases, potassium is susceptible to leaching due to heavy rainfall.
Identifying the Nutrient Richness
Based on the general characteristics, Laterite soils are known for their deficiency in major nutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphate, Calcium, and Potash. However, multiple-choice questions often probe relative differences or specific contexts.
While all the listed nutrients (Calcium, Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash) are typically found in low quantities in Laterite soils, the question asks what it is "rich in". This implies a comparison among the given options.
- Nitrogen and Phosphate are almost universally considered severely deficient.
- Calcium is also significantly depleted due to acidity.
- Potash, although deficient, might be relatively less depleted compared to Nitrogen and Phosphate in certain soil profiles or parent materials, or specific forms might be present. In the context of typical agricultural assessments for these soil types, Potash is often cited as a limiting factor but sometimes considered in discussions about relative availability compared to extremely low levels of N and P.
Considering the options and the common understanding of Laterite soil limitations, the nutrient that might be relatively considered in discussions of 'richness' (or rather, least severe deficiency among the choices) is Potash.
Similar Questions
- Which of the following statements with reference to soil forming pro-cesses is/are correct?
1. Translocation, enrichment, re-moval and transformation are different classes of soil forming processes
2. In translocation, fine particles are transported downward by eluvia-tion and accumulate in lower horizons by illuviation
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Important Questions from Soils
- Which soil is acidic in nature and found in high rainfall areas?
The soil that is present over the piedmont plains such as Chos and Duars is
Which of the following statements regarding Soil is/are FALSE?
1. Fertile soil supports plant growth by providing plants with nutrients, acting as a water holding body and serving as the substrate to which plants anchor their roots.
2. Vegetation, tree cover and forest prevents soil degradation and desertification by stabilizing the soil, maintaining water and nutrient cycling.
3. Grass found on pasture lands cannot protect the soil against soil erosion and also inhibits the soil biological activities.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:With reference to the different types of soil found in India, identify the pairs which is/are wrongly matched.
1. Submontane soil - These are formed by the deposition of eroded material and are found in the Tarai region stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Assam.
2. Karewa soil - These are the lacustrine deposits found in the Kashmir valleys and Bhadarwah Valley.
3. Peaty and Marshy soil - These are typical soils of the monsoon climate characterised by seasonal rainfall and is deficient in organic matter.
4. Laterite soil - These soils are rich in humus and organic matter.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:Match List I with List II.
List – I (Pedogenic Process) List – II (Description) A. Podzolization I. It is associated with humid cold mid-latitude climates and coniferous vegetation B. Laterization II. It is associated with soils found in tropical and subtropical environments C. Calcification III. It is associated with warm, semi-arid environments, usually in grassland vegetation where evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation D. Gleization IV. It is associated with poorly drained and water logged areas of cold climates and peat is found in the upper portion of the soil
