Question

What is soil? Explain the characteristics and distribution of Red soil in India.

Answer 1

Instructions:

• Explain what soil is.
• Explain the characteristics of red soil.
• Write down the distribution of red soil in India.

Solution:

• Soil
  • Soil is the uppermost layer of the surface of Earth where vegetation grows. Composed of various elements like minerals, organic materials, and rock particles.
• Red soil
  • Red in colour due to the presence of iron. It is formed on crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
  • Red soil is found in areas with less rainfall, and it is naturally not very fertile. But cultivation can be done on red soil by using proper irrigation, ammonia, superphosphate, and compost fertilizers.
  • Red soil is rich in magnesium, iron, and aluminium. It is poor in nitrogen, hummus, and phosphorous.
• Distribution of red soil in India
  • Red soil occupies roughly 2 lakh square kilometres of land and is about 4m in depth in plain areas. It is found in areas like:
    • Uttar Pradesh
    • Tami Nadu
    • Karnataka
    • Eastern Madhya Pradesh
    • Aravalli mountain
    • South Bihar
    • Northeast Andhra Pradesh
    • North-eastern hills.