Question

The soil in the delta region is ____________.
A. Black Soil
B. Red Soil
C. Alluvial Soil
D. Mountain Soil

Answer 1

Hint: The soil which is found in the delta region is mostly formed by the deposition of silt by rivers. It is rich in mineral contents such as potash, phosphoric acid, lime and accounts 22.16 percent of the total land area of the country.

Complete Answer: Alluvial soils have come into existence due to the deposition of silt by rivers rich in mineral contents such as potash, phosphoric acid and lime. It is also rich in organic matter with a thickness exceeding 390 metres makes it suitable for agricultural purposes.

Now let us examine the options;
Option A - Black soil came into existence by weathering of lava spread over large areas during the
volcanic eruption. This type of soil can mostly be noticed in the Deccan trap region of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. It came into existence by weathering of lava spread over large areas during the volcanic eruption.
Option B - Red soils are mostly found on the entire Indian Peninsula and have come into existence by the weathering of igneous rocks of the old Gondwanaland. These soils are full of pebbles
and gravel. Hence, they are less fertile and are capable of growing millets only.
Option C - Alluvial soils are found in the deltas of river Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri. In addition, it can also be found in the foothills of the Himalayas and Peninsular Plateau.
Option D - Mountain soil can be found in the Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, in some parts of the Western and Eastern and the Peninsular Plateau. Mountain soils account for 8.7 percent of the total land area of India.

Thus, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: The soil occupies a broad belt between the foothills of the Himalayas and Peninsular Plateau from the north to south and extends from Rajasthan through Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to West Bengal and Assam Valley from west to east.