Question

Compare the properties of red, desert, and laterite soil.

Answer 1

Soil: Soil is the mixture of inorganic minerals and organic matter that covers the topmost layer of the Earth's land surface (Lithosphere).

Red soil: This soil is formed by the weathering of metamorphic acidic rocks. It has a high iron content that lends it the red color.

Desert soil: It is formed by the weathering of carbonate and phosphate rocks along with the deposition of sand that blows in the deserts. It has a very low water retention capacity.

Laterite soil: Heavy rainfall along with high temperatures leads to the oxidation and weathering of aluminum and iron rocks.

Properties	Red Soil	Desert Soil	Laterite Soil
Color	Red	Grayish Brown	Red
Contents	Iron oxides, quartz, and clay.	Calcium carbonate and phosphate	Hydrated oxides of Aluminum and Iron.
Location	Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.	Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Ladakh	Widespread throughout India covering 10% of the region
Crops	Wheat, rice, millets, pulses	Barley, radish	Coconut, tapioca