What is the predominant soil of Malwa plateau ? 

The Correct answer is Black Soil.

Key Points

• Black soil is also known as Regur soil or Black Cotton Soil.
• This soil is predominant in the Malwa Plateau, which covers parts of western Madhya Pradesh and southeastern Rajasthan.
• Black soil is very fertile and is ideal for growing cotton, hence the name Black Cotton Soil.
• It is characterized by its clayey texture, high moisture retention capacity, and richness in calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime.
• Black soil develops deep cracks during the dry season, which helps in the proper aeration of the soil.

 Additional Information

• Red Soil
  • Red soil is found in regions with a warm, temperate climate and is rich in iron, which gives it a distinctive red color.
  • It is found in areas such as Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, southern Karnataka, and parts of Maharashtra.
  • This soil is less fertile compared to black soil but can support crops like millets, pulses, and groundnuts with proper irrigation and fertilization.
• Laterite Soil
  • Laterite soil is rich in iron and aluminum and forms in tropical regions with high rainfall.
  • This soil is found in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and the hilly regions of Odisha and Assam.
  • Laterite soil is suitable for crops like tea, coffee, rubber, and cashew.
• Alluvial Soil
  • Alluvial soil is found in river valleys and is highly fertile due to the sediments deposited by rivers.
  • This soil is abundant in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, the Brahmaputra Valley, and the delta regions of the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri rivers.
  • It supports a wide range of crops, including wheat, rice, sugarcane, and pulses.