Question

Which soils are best suited for cotton crops?
(A) Black
(B) Alluvial
(C) Both A and B
(D) None of these

Answer 1

Soil consists of a mixture of organic material, mineral, gases, and microorganism that helps in supporting life. Soil acts as a medium for plant growth, and also involves in water purification and its storage. Soil is formed from the disintegration of rocks which usually takes 500-600 years.

Complete answer:
Soil is classified into various types based on their texture and mineral composition which includes, Sandy soil, Silt soil, Clay soil, and Loamy soil. There are six soil deposits in India which include Alluvial Soil, Black Soil, Red Soil, Laterite Soil, Desert Soil, Mountain Soil. These are formed by the sediments carried by the rivers.
Alluvial Soil is formed by the deposits carried by Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers. It is very fertile soil and covers most of the northern plains. This soil is ideal for the growth of wheat, pulse, and sugarcane. Black Soil covers the Deccan plateau along the Godavari and Krishna valleys. This soil is rich in calcium carbonate, potash, magnesium, and lime making it ideal for growing cotton.
Red soil develops on igneous rocks and occurs in the area of low rainfall. When it gets hydrated then it is called Yellow soil. Laterite Soil is present in the area of heavy rainfall and high temperature and it has low humus content. Desert Soil lacks humus and moisture and is generally sandy in texture. Mountainous Soil occurs in hilly areas. They are loamy and silty at valley sides.

So, the correct answer is Option (A).

Note: Sandy soil consists of small particles of weathered rock and is the poorest soil for plant growth as it has very low nutrients and poor water holding capacity. Silt soil has much smaller particles as compared to sandy soil. It is a fine quality soil that has better water holding capacity than sand. It is the most fertile soil and is used in agricultural practices. Clay soil consists of tightly packed, a small particle with no or very little airspace. It has good water holding capacity. Loamy soil is a combination of sand, silt, and clay. It can retain moisture and nutrients and is the most suitable for farming.