Question

Alluvial Soil is mostly found in which region ?
A. Southern India
B. Northern India
C. Gangetic Jamuna Plains
D. Eastern India

Answer 1

Hint: Alluvial soil is the extremely fertile soil which is brought by rivers and streams from the mountains as it picks up inorganic and organic nutritive compounds and deposits it on its banks.

Complete answer:
Alluvial soil is the major soil type found in India, it is spread over almost 46% of the Indian land. Northern India is flushed with abundant rivers in the north east central and northwest areas.

Additional information:
> Alluvial soil has the highest productivity compared to all other types of soils.
> This soil has a very soft texture and it has the lowest proportion of nitrogen and humus compared to other soil types but has an adequate amount of phosphate. There is a variation in the iron oxide and lime content which changes with the change in regions.
> A huge variety of crops such as wheat, cotton, jute, sugarcane, maize etc can be grown in this soil.
> Alluvial soil is one of the best types of soil. This requires the least water. The reason for this is its high porosity. The consistency of alluvial soil ranges to different types depending upon what types of soils are mixed together, from drift sand and rich, loamy soil to silt clay.
The rivers draining northern India are:
- In the north: Indus, Jelum, Chenab, Ravi and Beas
- In the Indo-Gangetic plains: Ganga and its tributaries, Yamuna, and Chambal
- In the East: Brahmaputra and tributaries from Ganga

So the correct answer is, (B) Northern India.

Note: According to the age of the alluvial soil, it is classified as Bangar (old alluvial) and Khadar (new alluvial). It is suitable for the growth of a large variety of rabi and kharif crops. The light and porous nature of the soil makes it easy to till. The soil present in drier areas is more alkaline.