Question

Name the process by which lateritic soil is formed. Mention one disadvantage of this soil.

Answer 1

Hint: This soil has very rich iron and aluminium oxide content within it. This type of soil is generally found in the extremely hot and wet tropical areas. This is a type of residual soil that is found on the earth’s surface.

Complete Answer:
Laterite soil develops through intensive weathering that had occurred for a long time in the underlying parent rock. This soil is found in the hot and wet equatorial and tropical regions, mostly among the equator, Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.
Laterite soil is formed by chemical weathering that causes leaching of the parent sedimentary rocks, which is known as ‘lateralization’. The equatorial receives heavy downpour of rain, which generally leeches away the soluble minerals deeper, like calcium, sodium, magnesium, and the like, deeper into the soil, leaving insoluble iron and aluminium oxide on the top layer, giving a red colour to the soil.
Road building, building of bricks are two important uses of laterite soil. The rocks of the soil have a rich deposit of bauxite, nickel, copper, iron-ore, and manganese in the soil.
Laterite soil as it does not contain soluble minerals is not rich in organic matter. The soil contains a high percentage of acidity. The texture of the soil in general is coarse and the moisture retaining capacity is very low.

Note: This soil represents the end product of decomposition and generally very low in fertility. This soil does not support quality or quantity of vegetation or agriculture. Trees like cashew nuts are grown in very small pockets.