10th Social Notes (Indian Soils)

10^th  Indian Soils

I. Fill in the blanks with suitable answers.

1. The soils that are formed from the sediments deposited by the rivers is called Alluvial soils.
2. The Black soils are also known as Regur soil & Black cotton soils.
3. Under the conditions of high temperature and rainfall Laterite soils are formed in tropical areas.
4. Mountain soils are suitable for Plantation crops.

II. Answer the following after discussing them in groups.

1. Which are the major types of soils in India?
Ans: Soils of India can be classified into six types:

a) Alluvial soil b) Black soil        c) Red soil

d) Latente soil     e) Desert soil      f) Mountain soil

 

2. Explain the distribution of Black soil in India.

Ans: Black soils are largely found in the Deccan basalt trap region including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Parts of Telangana, Northern part of Karnataka, parts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. They occupy about 5.46 lakh km2 in India.

 

3. What are the characteristics of Red soils?

Ans: a) They are fromed from the weathering of granite. gneiss and other crystalline rocks.

b) The colour of these soils is generally red or reddish-brown.

c) They are more sandy and less clayey.

d) They do not retain moisture.

e) Red soils are ideal for the cultivation of ragi, millets, groundnuts, tobacco and potato.

 

4. What is soil erosion and soil conservation?

Ans: Soil erosion: The removal of top soil by natural agents is called soil erosion.
Soil Conservation: Protection of soil from erosion and preservation of fertility of the soil is called ‘soil conservation’.

 

5. Mention the main causes of soil erosion.
Ans: The main causes of soil erosion are:

a) Deforestation       

b) Overgrazing         

c)Shifting cultivation

d) Faulty methods of cultivation     

e) Use of topsoil for making bricks, tiles ete.

 

6. What are the major effects of soil erosion?
Ans: a) Loss of soil fertility and fall in agricultural productivity.

b) It leads to silting and floods, change of the course of rivers, and reduction of capacity of the reservoirs.

c) Ground water level is lowered & there will be decrease in soil moisture.

d) Vegetation cover dries up and droughts increase.

e) Economy as a whole suffers a great set back.