Which soil is best suited for cotton cultivation?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer:
Black soil
Explanation:
Black soil, also known as Regur soil or black cotton soil, is best suited for cotton cultivation. It is formed from weathered basaltic lava rocks and is predominantly found in the Deccan trap region of India, covering states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Black soil has a high clay content, giving it an exceptional capacity to retain moisture, which is critical for growing cotton crops.
Key Points:
Black soils develop wide cracks during the hot dry summer season, which helps in the self-ploughing process by allowing proper aeration and mixing of the soil.
Apart from cotton, black soil is also highly suitable for growing crops like sugarcane, wheat, jowar, and oilseeds.
It is rich in soil nutrients such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime, though it is generally poor in nitrogen and phosphorus.
Important Questions and Answers:
Question: What is another common name given to black soil due to its suitability for cotton farming?
Answer: Regur soil or black cotton soil.
Question: Which major geological formation is primarily responsible for the origin of black soil in India?
Answer: The Deccan Traps (basaltic lava flows).