Laterite Soil Suitability for South Indian Plantations
Laterite soils are the primary reason South India's hilly regions are suitable for cultivating tea and coffee.
Why Laterite Soil is Ideal
- Leaching Resistance: Laterite soils are rich in iron and aluminum oxides, making them resistant to leaching, which is crucial in areas with heavy rainfall common in South Indian hills.
- Drainage: These soils generally have good drainage, preventing waterlogging, a condition detrimental to tea and coffee plants.
- Acidity: Laterite soils are often acidic, which suits the specific pH requirements for optimal tea and coffee growth.
- Nutrient Retention: While needing fertilization, they can retain nutrients effectively under plantation management.
Other Soil Types' Limitations
- Alluvial soils are typically found in river valleys and are better suited for grain crops.
- Black soils are ideal for cotton and sugarcane due to their high clay content and water retention capacity.
- Arid soils are found in dry areas and lack the moisture and organic matter needed for these plantation crops.
Therefore, the unique properties of laterite soil make it the most suitable soil type for extensive tea and coffee cultivation in the hilly tracts of South India.
Similar Questions
- When we travel across the countryside, we see red soils in many regions. What is the reason for its colour?
- Which soil is the largest available and the most intensively cultivated soil in India?
- Which among the following is the process of covering the soil/ground to create more favourable conditions for plant growth, development and efficient crop production?
- Which type of soil is mostly found in eastern coast of India?
- In which soil does cotton grow best?
- In dry areas, water from underground comes up through the soil by capillary action and dries quickly, leaving salts behind. These salts form a hard layer called:
- Which of the following statements is correct about black soil?
Which type of soil is most suitable for cotton cultivation in India?
Which soil type, known for retaining moisture, is ideal for cotton cultivation?
- Which of the following plantations helps in the prevention of soil erosion in desert?
Important Questions from Soils
Match List 1 with List 2 and choose the correct answer form the code given below:
List 1
(Soil Type)
List 2
(States)
(a) Alluvial
1. Kerala
(b) Red
2. Uttarakhand
(c) Laterite
3. Tamil Nadu
(d) Submontane
4. Uttar Pradesh
Soil contains decayed remains of living organisms. This is called ______.
The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of
Fertile riverine alluvial soil is best suited for producing ________.
The agricultural practice followed after preparation of the soil is:
