UPSC Prelims 2013 · Question 12 of 99
UPSC Prelims 2013 question on Laterite Soils
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2013
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectGeography
- TopicIndian Geography
- DifficultyEasy
- TypeStatement
Which of the following statements regarding laterite soils of India are correct?
1. They are generally red in colour.
2. They are rich in nitrogen and potash.
3. They are well-developed in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
4. Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well on these soils.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Show answer
Answer: C. 1 and 4
Verdict
Correct Answer: 1 and 4 only
Analysis
According to the official UPSC Answer Key for Prelims 2013, the correct option is 1 and 4 only.
Laterite soils form in regions of high temperature and heavy rainfall. They are strongly leached soils, rich in iron and aluminium but poor in fertility.
Statement by statement
1. They are generally red in colour — Correct
Laterite soils are generally red or rusty-red due to the presence of iron oxides.
Heavy rainfall removes soluble materials like silica, leaving behind iron and aluminium compounds.
2. They are rich in nitrogen and potash — Incorrect
Laterite soils are poor in nitrogen, potash, phosphoric acid, lime and humus.
This is because heavy rainfall causes leaching of essential plant nutrients.
The statement is incorrect because laterite soils are nutrient-poor, not nutrient-rich.
3. They are well-developed in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh — Incorrect
Laterite soils develop in hot and wet tropical regions with heavy rainfall.
They are found in areas such as the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Rajmahal Hills, Kerala, Karnataka and parts of Assam.
Rajasthan is mainly associated with arid/desert soils, while Uttar Pradesh is mainly associated with alluvial soils.
4. Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well on these soils — Correct
Laterite soils are generally poor for cereal cultivation but can support plantation and commercial crops with proper inputs.
Crops such as tapioca, cashew nut, tea, coffee and rubber grow well on laterite soils.
Extra UPSC info
* The word laterite comes from the Latin word later, meaning brick.
* Laterite soils harden on exposure to air and are used as building material in parts of South India.
* Laterization involves intense leaching under tropical wet and dry conditions.
* These soils are rich in iron and aluminium but poor in nitrogen, potash and humus.
* Do not confuse red soil with laterite soil; laterite is the result of more intense leaching.
* Major laterite regions include the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Meghalaya plateau and parts of Kerala, Karnataka and Assam.
How to crack it
Laterite soils are red, heavily leached and nutrient-poor, but they support crops like tapioca and cashew under suitable conditions.