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Questions and Answers
What is the primary reason for the decrease in storage capacity of reservoirs due to soil erosion?
Which of the following is not a measure to prevent soil erosion?
What is the difference between soil management and soil conservation?
What is the effect of soil erosion on groundwater?
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Which of the following is a cause of soil erosion?
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What is the area of alluvial soil in India?
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Which type of soil is also called as 'Black Cotton Soil' or 'Regur Soil'?
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Which type of soil has the most decayed and dead organic matter?
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Which type of soil has the lowest moisture retention capacity?
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In which state is the largest area of alluvial soil found?
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Which crop is commonly grown in the mountain soil?
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Which type of soil has oxides of lime and magnesium?
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Which type of soil is formed by the weathering of igneous rocks?
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Study Notes
Soil Types in India
- There are 6 types of soils in India: Alluvial, Black, Red, Laterite, Desert, and Mountain soil.
Alluvial Soil
- Covers an area of 7.7 million square kilometers
- Crops grown: Wheat, Paddy, Sugarcane, Jowar, Jute, Cotton
- Found in states: Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, and Assam
- Facts: The Indian Alluvial Tract is the largest in the world
Black Soil
- Covers an area of 5.46 lakh square kilometers
- Crops grown: Cotton, Wheat, Paddy, Jute, Sugarcane
- Found in states: Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh
- Facts: Also called 'Black Cotton Soil' or 'Regur Soil', it has oxides of lime and magnesium, and is best for cotton cultivation
Red Soil
- Covers an area of 5.18 lakh square kilometers
- Crops grown: Oilseeds, Ragi, Tobacco
- Found in states: Kanyakumari to Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to Rajmahal Hills
- Facts: Most widely spread soil in the Peninsular Plateau
Laterite Soil
- Covers an area of 2.48 lakh square kilometers
- Crops grown: Coffee, Tea, Areca nut, and other plantation crops
- Found in states: Western Ghats, Satpuras, Poorvanchal, Rajmahal Hills, and Vindhyas
- Facts: Red in color, lacks nitrogen and minerals, and has insoluble oxides of iron and aluminum
Desert Soil
- Covers an area of 1.4 lakh square kilometers
- Crops grown: Sajje, Dates, Jowar
- Found in states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana
- Facts: Red and brown in color, has low moisture retention capacity
Mountain Soil
- Crops grown: Spices, Fruits, Coffee, Tea
- Found in states: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, and Siwaliks
- Facts: Contains the most decayed and dead organic matter, making it the most fertile and rich in nitrogen and minerals
Soil Erosion
- Causes: Deforestation, Overgrazing, Over-irrigation, Unscientific methods of cultivation, and manufacture of bricks and tiles
- Effects:
- Accumulation of silt in river beds and reservoirs
- Reduced moisture retention capacity of soil
- Change in course of direction of rivers
- Reduced storage capacity of reservoirs
- Frequent floods
- Decreased groundwater level
- Measures to prevent soil erosion:
- Afforestation
- Reduce deforestation
- Terrace farming
- Construction of bunds and check dams
- Proper use of water
- Prevention of overgrazing
- Contour cultivation
Soil Management and Conservation
- Soil management: Protecting the fertility of the soil
- Soil conservation: Protecting the fertility of the soil and using it in a healthy way to increase agricultural produce
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Description
This quiz covers the different types of soil found in India, their characteristics, and the regions where they are found. Learn about the 6 types of soil and their unique features.
