Chapter 5.5 – Soils in India

WBBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 5.5: Soils in India

Content Structure

1. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)
2. Very short-type questions and answers
- 2A. Fill in the blanks
- 2B. True or false
- 2C. Very short-type questions and answers
3. Short-type questions and answers
4. Analytical questions and answers

1. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs) [1 mark each]

1. Which soil is formed due to river deposition?
a) Black soil
b) Alluvial soil
c) Red soil
d) Laterite soil

Ans: b) Alluvial soil

2. What is the uppermost layer of the Earth’s crust called?
a) Rock
b) Soil
c) Mineral
d) Humus

Ans: b) Soil

3. Which soil is also known as Regur soil?
a) Red soil
b) Black soil
c) Desert soil
d) Mountain soil

Ans: b) Black soil

4. Which soil is best suited for cotton cultivation?
a) Alluvial soil
b) Black soil
c) Red soil
d) Laterite soil

Ans: b) Black soil

5. Which process is responsible for the formation of laterite soil?
a) Erosion
b) Deposition
c) Leaching
d) Weathering

Ans: c) Leaching

6. Which soil is rich in iron and aluminium?
a) Alluvial soil
b) Black soil
c) Laterite soil
d) Desert soil

Ans: c) Laterite soil

7. Which region of India is most affected by wind erosion?
a) Himalayas
b) Coastal regions
c) Rajasthan
d) Ganga plains

Ans: c) Rajasthan

8. Which soil type is found in the northern plains of India?
a) Red soil
b) Black soil
c) Alluvial soil
d) Mountain soil

Ans: c) Alluvial soil

9. Which type of soil erosion is caused by running water?
a) Wind erosion
b) Sheet erosion
c) Chemical erosion
d) Glacial erosion

Ans: b) Sheet erosion

10. Which soil is the most fertile in India?
a) Black soil
b) Red soil
c) Alluvial soil
d) Laterite soil

Ans: c) Alluvial soil

2. Very short-type questions and answers

2A. Fill in the blanks [1 mark each]

1. The uppermost layer of the Earth’s crust is called ________. (soil)
2. ________ soil is the most fertile soil of India. (Alluvial soil)
3. Laterite soil is formed due to the process of ________. (leaching)
4. The new alluvial soil is called ________. (Khadar)
5. ________ cultivation involves cutting and burning of forests. (Jhum cultivation)
6. ________ soil has high moisture-retaining capacity. (Black soil)
7. The removal of top fertile soil is called ________. (soil erosion)
8. ________ erosion creates deep channels in soil. (Gully erosion)

2B. True or false [1 mark each]

1. Soil is an important natural resource for agriculture. (True)
2. Terrace farming is practised in plains. (False)
3. Overgrazing helps in soil conservation. (False)
4. Laterite soil is rich in humus and highly fertile. (False)
5. Gully erosion forms shallow layers of soil removal. (False)
6. Red soil is formed from volcanic rocks. (False)
7. Alluvial soil is formed by river deposits. (True)
8. Wind erosion is common in desert regions. (True)

2C. Very short-type questions and answers [1 mark each]

1. Name two states of India where laterite soil is found.
Ans: Laterite soil is found in the states of Kerala and Karnataka in India.

2. Which kind of soils have a pH value less than 7?
Ans: Soils having a pH value less than 7 are called acidic soils.

3. Mention two natural causes of soil erosion.
Ans: Two natural causes of soil erosion are running water and strong winds.

4. Which is the most fertile soil of India?
Ans: Alluvial soil is the most fertile soil of India.

5. Where is Jhum cultivation seen in India?
Ans: Jhum cultivation is seen in the northeastern states of India such as Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.

6. Which soil has high contents of sand?
Ans: Sandy soil has a high content of sand.

7. Name the source of the word ‘regur’.
Ans: The word ‘regur’ is derived from a Telugu word meaning black soil.

8. What is the main cause of soil erosion in Rajasthan?
Ans: The main cause of soil erosion in Rajasthan is wind erosion due to strong dry winds.

9. What is alluvial soil known as in Kashmir Valley?
Ans: Alluvial soil is known as ‘Karewa soil’ in the Kashmir Valley.

10. What is the sandy soil of the desert region known as?
Ans: The sandy soil of the desert region is known as desert soil.

11. Which soil has equal ratio of clay and sand?
Ans: Loamy soil has an equal ratio of clay and sand.

12. Which mineral is present in high amount in the pedocal soils?
Ans: Calcium carbonate is present in high amount in pedocal soils.

3. Short-type questions and answers [2 marks each]

1. What is soil?
Ans: Soil is the uppermost layer of the Earth’s crust formed by the weathering of rocks over a long period of time. It is composed of mineral particles, organic matter, air, and water. Soil is essential for plant growth and agriculture as it provides nutrients and support to plants. It is an important natural resource.

2. Which soils of India are important for agriculture?
Ans: Alluvial soil and black soil are the most important soils for agriculture in India. Alluvial soil is highly fertile and suitable for crops like rice and wheat, while black soil is ideal for cotton cultivation due to its high moisture-retaining capacity.

3. Classify alluvial soil according to texture.
Ans: Alluvial soil can be classified according to texture into sandy, silty, and clayey soils. Sandy soil has large particles and low water retention, silty soil is smooth and fertile, while clayey soil has fine particles and high water retention capacity. The mixture of these types makes alluvial soil suitable for agriculture.

4. Why does the regur soil appear black in colour?
Ans: Regur soil appears black in colour due to the presence of iron, titanium, and organic matter. It is formed from the weathering of basaltic rocks, which gives it its characteristic dark colour.

5. What is podzol soil?
Ans: Podzol soil is a type of soil found in cold and humid regions, mainly under coniferous forests. It is formed due to intense leaching, which removes minerals from the upper layer of the soil. This soil is acidic, poor in humus, and not very fertile, making it less suitable for agriculture.

6. Name the major types of soil found in India.
Ans: The major types of soil found in India are alluvial soil, black soil, red soil, laterite soil, desert soil, mountain soil, and saline or alkaline soil. These soils differ in composition, texture, and fertility depending on climate and relief.

7. In which regions of India saline soil is found?
Ans: Saline soil is found in arid and semi-arid regions of India. It is commonly found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, coastal areas, and in regions with poor drainage where salt accumulates on the surface.

8. Name some regions where black soil is found in India.
Ans: Black soil is mainly found in the Deccan Plateau region of India. It is widely distributed in states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Tamil Nadu.

9. Where is laterite soil found in India?
Ans: Laterite soil is found in regions of high rainfall and temperature. It is mainly found in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, parts of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Northeast India.

10. Why is alluvial soil very fertile?
Ans: Alluvial soil is very fertile because it contains a rich amount of minerals like potash, lime, and phosphoric acid. It is regularly renewed by river deposits during floods, which adds nutrients and makes it highly suitable for agriculture.

4. Analytical questions and answers [5 marks each]

1. Mention the characteristic features of black soil.
Ans: Black soil is one of the most important soil types in India and is widely known for its fertility and usefulness in agriculture. It is mainly found in the Deccan Plateau region and is especially suitable for cotton cultivation. Its important features are as follows:

Origin: Black soil, also known as Regur soil, is formed from the weathering of basaltic volcanic rocks.
Colour: It is black in colour due to the presence of iron and organic matter.
Composition: This soil is rich in minerals like lime, iron, magnesium, and alumina but poor in phosphorus.
Moisture Retention: It has a high moisture-retaining capacity, which makes it suitable for dry farming.
Nature: It becomes sticky when wet and hard when dry.
Cracking: During the dry season, it develops deep cracks, which help in the aeration of the soil.
Suitability: This soil is highly suitable for cotton cultivation.

2. Name three important soil regions of India.
Ans: The three important soil regions of India are the alluvial soil region, the black soil region, and the red soil region. The alluvial soil region is found in the northern plains and is highly fertile. The black soil region is located in the Deccan Plateau and is suitable for cotton cultivation. The red soil region is found in southern and eastern India and is formed from crystalline rocks.

3. What are the effects of regur soil on agriculture?
Ans: Regur soil, also known as black soil, plays an important role in agriculture due to its special properties. It has both advantages and some limitations, which affect crop production. Its effects on agriculture are as follows:

Management Requirement: Farmers need to provide good drainage and use fertilizers to increase the productivity of this soil.
Moisture Retention: Regur soil retains moisture for a long time, which reduces the need for frequent irrigation.
Crop Suitability: It is highly suitable for crops like cotton, sugarcane, wheat, and oilseeds.
Soil Aeration: The cracking nature of the soil improves aeration and helps plant roots to grow well.
Workability: This soil becomes sticky during the rainy season and hard during summer, which makes ploughing difficult.

4. Write a short note on laterite soil.
Ans: Laterite soil is formed in regions of high temperature and heavy rainfall due to the process of leaching. In this process, soluble minerals are washed away, leaving behind iron and aluminium oxides. It is reddish in colour and poor in humus and nutrients. This soil is mainly found in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and parts of Northeast India. With the use of fertilizers and irrigation, it can support crops like tea, coffee, rubber, and cashew.

5. Difference between red soil and laterite soil.
Ans:

Basis	Red Soil	Laterite Soil
Formation	Red soil is formed from the weathering of crystalline rocks.	Laterite soil is formed due to intense leaching in high rainfall areas.
Fertility	Red soil is moderately fertile.	Laterite soil is less fertile.
Composition	Red soil contains iron oxide, which gives it a red colour.	Laterite soil contains iron and aluminium.
Rainfall	Red soil is found in areas of low rainfall.	Laterite soil is found in areas of heavy rainfall.

6. What is ‘Khadar’ and ‘Bhangar’?
Ans: Khadar and Bhangar are two types of alluvial soils found in river plains. Khadar is the new alluvial soil deposited by rivers during floods. It is very fertile and found in low-lying floodplains. Bhangar is the old alluvial soil found in higher areas above flood levels. It is less fertile and often contains kankar or calcareous deposits.

7. Difference between alluvial soil and black soil.
Ans:

Basis	Alluvial Soil	Black Soil
Formation	Alluvial soil is formed by river deposits.	Black soil is formed from volcanic rocks.
Fertility	Alluvial soil is highly fertile.	Black soil is also fertile but more suitable for specific crops.
Crop Suitability	Alluvial soil is suitable for crops like rice and wheat.	Black soil is best suited for cotton cultivation.
Distribution	Alluvial soil is found in plains.	Black soil is found in the Deccan Plateau.
Moisture	Alluvial soil has moderate moisture retention.	Black soil has high moisture-retaining capacity.

8. Difference between step farming and strip farming.
Ans:

Basis	Step Farming	Strip Farming
Method	Step farming involves cutting slopes into steps.	Strip farming involves growing crops in alternate strips.
Area	Step farming is practised on hilly slopes.	Strip farming is practised on plains.
Purpose	Step farming reduces water runoff and soil erosion.	Strip farming reduces both wind and water erosion.
Alternate Name	Step farming is also known as terrace farming.	Strip farming has no other common name.

9. Where and how is jhum cultivation practiced in India?
Ans: Jhum cultivation is practised in the northeastern states of India such as Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland. In this method, forests are cleared by cutting and burning vegetation. Crops are grown for a few years until the soil loses its fertility. Then the land is abandoned, and the farmers move to a new area. This method is also known as shifting cultivation.

10. Difference between Khadar and Bhangar soil.
Ans:

Basis	Khadar Soil	Bhangar Soil
Nature	Khadar is the new alluvial soil deposited by rivers every year.	Bhangar is the old alluvial soil.
Fertility	Khadar soil is very fertile.	Bhangar soil is less fertile.
Location	Khadar soil is found in low-lying floodplains.	Bhangar soil is found in elevated areas above flood levels.
Composition	Khadar soil does not contain kankar nodules.	Bhangar soil contains kankar nodules.