Question

Give a geographical reason for black soil being suitable for growth of cotton.

Answer 1

Hint: Among the variety of soils that are found in India, the black soil is found in and around the lava-covered Deccan area in the middle and the western part of the country. This soil has poor humus content within it but is highly moisture retentive, therefore enabling cultivation by responding to irrigation.

Complete answer: Formation of black soil is a result of gradual degradation of volcanic igneous rocks that were formed through many years of volcanic eruptions. As black soil is formed through degradation of igneous rocks like basalt, it shows signs of having basaltic nature in the soil.
Black soil is a type of soil that is clayey in nature and is rich in soil nutrients like calcium, carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime. Apart from having these nutrients, the soil can accept freely insecticides, pesticides, and other natural manure that are useful for cultivation. The soil has features like moisture retaining capacity and extensive fertile layer along its entire profile, thus enabling good cultivation.
Cotton plants grow best in soil that has high moisture training capacity. Soil nutrients like calcium, carbonates and magnesium also provide suitable conditions for the growth of the plants. Both the factors are present very much in black soil, thus black soil is highly suitable for growth of cotton plants.

Note: Most of the cotton textiles are located in the western part of the country as raw cotton is readily available from the black soils of western India. Thus, Maharashtra, Gujarat, parts of Deccan Plateau form the largest cotton growing and cotton goods manufacturing zone of India.