Question

The formation of laterite soil is mainly due to ___________.
A) weathering
B) erosion
C) leaching
D) deposition

Answer 1

Hint:
Soil is a mixture of rock debris and organic materials that develop on the earth’s surface. Vegetation, relief, parent material, climate, and other forms of life and time are the major factors that affect the formation of soil.

Complete Answer:
Other factors also affect the formation of soil like human activities also affect it to a large extent. Components of soil are humus, mineral particles, water, and air.
On the basis of location, colour, genesis, and composition, the soils of India are classified into alluvial soils, laterite soils, saline soils, arid soils, forest soils, black soils, red and yellow soils, and peaty soils. Out of these, the laterite soils form in areas with high rainfall and high temperature. They are the product of intense leaching due to tropical rains. Lime and silica are leached away with rain, and soils rich in the aluminum compound and iron oxide are left behind. Bacteria that thrive well in high temperature fast remove the humus content of the soil. These soils have iron oxide and potash in excess, while they are poor in calcium, organic matter, and nitrogen phosphate. Thus, laterites are not suitable for cultivation; however, application of fertilizers and manures are required for making the soil fertile for cultivation.
Red laterite soils in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh are more suitable for tree crops like cashew nuts.

Thus, option (C) is correct.

Note:
Laterite soils are widely cut as bricks for use in house construction. These soils have mainly formed in the higher areas of the peninsular plateaus. The laterite soils are commonly found in the hilly areas of Odisha and Assam, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh.