Question

Which of the following soils is most suitable for the cultivation of cotton in India?
  A.Red soil
  B.Laterite soil.
  C.Alluvial soil.
  D.Regur soil.

Answer 1

Hint: Soil is a naturally occurring, loose mineral particle which is formed by the weathering of rocks. All soils share a certain set of well-defined properties form a unique soil type. Soil is formed by different particles such as rock, sand, clay, silt, and humus.

Complete answer:
Regur soil is also called Black cotton soil. These soils are rich in calcium carbonate, potash, magnesium carbonate, and lime. Regur soil has a high water retention capacity. It is black in color and perfect for growing cotton.

Ideal conditions for cotton cultivation:
Temperature: Between 21-30 degree
Rainfall: Around 50-100 centimetre
Soil type: Well-depleted black cotton soil of Deccan Plateau
Top cotton-producing States:
(i) Gujarat
(ii) Maharashtra
(iii) Andhra Pradesh
(iv) Rajasthan

Characteristics of Regur Soil:
I. It is made up of fine clayey material and with high moisture carrying capacity.
II. It is rich in soil nutrients like potash, lime, calcium carbonate,
III. It is poor in phosphoric content.

Why is Regur soil called Black soil?
Regur soil is black in color and also ideal for growing cotton. It develops deep cracks during a hot climate.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: Red soil: Red soil is a soil that develops in a temperate, warm and moist climate and is generally derived from crystalline rock.
Laterite soil: Laterite is both soil and a rock type that is rich in iron and aluminum and is considered to form in hot and wet tropical areas.
Alluvial Soil: Alluvial soils are soils that are deposited by the surface water and found along rivers and in floodplains.