Question

Why are laterite soil reddish?

Answer 1

Laterite soil:

1. Laterite soil is reddish to yellow in colour along with lower content of potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, lime, and magnesia along with 90 to 100% of aluminium, iron, titanium, & manganese oxides.
2. Laterite soil is formed when the weather conditions are heavy rainfall with alternate wet and dry periods, the high temperature that causes leaching of soil, leaving behind only oxides of aluminium and iron.
3. They lack fertility due to lower base-exchanging capacity along with a lower content of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium.