WBBSE Class 10 Geography Solutions Chapter 5.5 Soils in India

Detailed explanations in West Bengal Board Class 10 Geography Book Solutions Chapter 5.5 Soils in India offer valuable context and analysis.

WBBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 5.5 Question Answer – Soils in India

Answer in short : 2 Marks

Question 1.
What is Bhangar?
Answer:
Bhangar is the comparatively old alluvium found on the upper sides of river valleys. It is coarse and pebbly and a little less fertile. It contains ‘Kankar’ nodules in the sub-soil.

Question 2.
What is Khadar?
Answer:
Khadar is the relatively new, compact, fine and moist silt found in the flood plains and deltas. It is more sandy and free from ‘Kankar’ nodules and is very fertile.

Question 3.
What is the importance of Black soil ?
Answer:
Black soil is most suitable for cotton cultivation. It is also popularly known as black cotton soil. It is also good for sugarcane, wheat and groundnut. It is highly rich in minerals.

Question 4.
What are the features of Red Soils?
Answer:
Red soils develop on crystalline igneous rocks in areas of poor rainfall. It is more sandy and less clayey. It is reddish in colour due to its high iron content.

Question 5.
What are the characteristics of Saline soils ?
Answer:
Saline soils are black, heavy and highly acidic. They are more sandy and less clayey. They are saline due to oceanic influence. They contain 10-40% organic matter.

Question 6.
What are the characteristics of Mountain Soils ?
Answer:
Mountain soils vary according to altitudes. They are rich in iron but deficient in lime. They are rich in humus and acidic in nature.

Question 7.
What do you mean by Soil erosion?
Answer:
Soil erosion refers to the breaking of soil particles by wind, rain, waves, snow, etc. and their removal from the surface.

Question 8.
Mention the direct consequences of soil erosion.
Answer:
The direct consequences of soil erosion are removal of fertile soil, degradation of agricultural land and inferior quality of vegetation.

Question 9.
What are the indirect consequences of soil erosion?
Answer:
The indirect consequences of soil erosion are – floods, siltation, fall of ground water landslide, economic set backs etc.

Question 10.
What is Strip Cropping ?

Answer:
Strip cropping refers to cultivation of crops in strips across the slope of the moutains, in order to break the slope to reduce soil erosion.

Question 11.
Mention the areas where alluvial soil is found.
Answer:
Alluvial soil is found in the river basins of Ganga, Indus and Brahmaputra in northern India. In southern India, it is found in the plains and deltas formed by rivers Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery.

Question 12.
What are the characteristics of alluvial soil ?
Answer:
The main characteristics of alluvial soil are :

1. The soil is fine grained and is formed of sediments brought down by rivers.
2. The soil is rich in nutrients like calcium, phosphoric acid, lime and other substances.
3. It is rich in humus and potash.
4. It is very fertile and suitable for cultivation.

Question 13.
What are the types of alluvial soil ?
Answer:
Alluvial soil can be of two types – Bhangar and Khadar.

Question 14.
Why alluvial soil considered to be best for agriculture?
Answer:
Alluvial soil is rich in minerals and humus that is essential for crop growth. The soil is renewed every year by flooding of rivers. Hence, minerals get energy in the soil regularly. Thus it is most suitable for agriculture. Crops like rice, jute, vegetables and sugarcane grow very well in this soil.

Question 15.
Where is black soil found in India ?
Answer:
In India, black soil is found in the Deccan plateau, comprising Maharashtra plateau, Malwa plateau, Telengana-Rayaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, Northern parts of Karnataka, Gujarat and some parts of Tamil Nadu.

Question 16.
What are the characteristics of Black soil ?
Answer:

1. Black soil is black in colour.
2. It is also known as ‘Regur’ soil, derived from the latin work ‘Ragurgitare’.
3. The texture of the soil is clayey and water holding capacity of the soil is high.
4. The soil is sticky and hard.
5. It is rich in iron, calcium carbonate, potash and lime.

Question 17.
Why is Black soil rich in mineral content ?
Answer:
Black soil originates from basaltic rocks of lava plateaus. Hence, they are rich in minerals like iron, calcium carbonate, potash and lime. But it is poor in phosphates and organic matter.

Question 18.
Name the states of India where red soil is found.
Answer:
In India, Red soil is found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Jharkhand.

Question 19.
Which crops can be grown in Red soil ?
Answer:
Red soil is suitable for growing crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, pulses etc.

Question 20.
Where is lateritic soil found in India?
Answer:
Lateritic soil is found in the hilly areas of the Western Ghats, Chotanagpur plateau and the hills of Meghalaya.

Question 21.
What crops grow in Laterite soil ?
Answer:
Laterite soil is not very suitable for agriculture. Crops like cashew, tapioca, cotton, wheat etc. grow in this soil.

Question 22.
Where is Desert soil found in India ?
Answer:
Desert soil is found in Western Rajasthan, Northem Gujarat and Southern Punjab.

Question 23.
Which crops grow well in saline soils ?
Answer:
Coconut, beetle nut etc. grow well in saline soils.

Question 24.
What crops grow well in mountain soils?
Answer:
Mountain soils are found in the Himalayan region. They are suitable for growing tea, fruits, rice, etc.

Question 25.
How does surface run-off affect soil ?
Answer:
Surface run-off is an important reason for soil erosion. Rate of erosion depends on amount of rainfall, duration, size of water droplets and condition of the land surface (open or covered with vegetation).

Question 26.
In which region does wind cause maximum soil erosion ?
Answer:
Wind causes much soil erosion in open, tree-less and arid regions. It is predominant in desert regions.

Question 27.
How is overgrazing responsible for soil erosion ?
Answer:
Overgrazing on pastures cause exposure of soil to agents of erosion due to removal of vegetative cover. Thus it speeds up soil erosion.

Question 28.
Name two natural phenomena that may cause soil erosion.
Answer:
Soil erosion can be caused due to landslides and forest-fires.

Question 29.
How does nature of rainfall affect soil ?
Answer:
Nature of rainfall can be beneficial or harmful to soil. Slow and light rainfall helps to recharge underground water by percolation of water. But torrential showers and big size of rain drops cause the soil to loosen and wash away, hence causing erosion.

Question 30.
Why is removal of top soil harmful ?
Answer:
The top soil is the most fertile part of the soil. It contains most of the essential nutrients and humus, which help in plant growth. Removal of top soil by erosion removes the fertility of the soil and reduces its capacity to support agriculture.

Question 31.
What is contour farming?
Answer:
In mountainous regions, a number of low or small dams are constructed across the slopes at equal heights. This prevents the rapid flow of water down the slopes, reducing soil erosion. This method of preventing soil erosion is called contour farming.

Question 32.
What is Gully ploughing ?
Answer:
In regions affected by gully erosion, dams can be built across gullies to prevent water flow. Plants can be planted along the dams to stop erosion.

Answer in brief : 3 Marks

Question 1.
Mention the major areas of India that have been affected by soil erosion.
Answer:
Soil erosion is predominant in tropical monsoon climatic regions, desert regions, mountainous regions etc.

The areas of India affected by soil erosion are :

1. Nilgiri hills due to intence potato cultivation without proper terracing.
2. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh etc. due to gully erosion.
3. Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh etc. due to uncertain rainfall.
4. Rajasthan and Gujarat due to moving sand dunes and coastal soil erosion.

Question 2.
Discuss the direct consequences of soil erosion.
Answer:
The direct consequences of soil erosion are –
(a) Removal of fertile soil : Removal of humus and minerals from the soil surface makes it infertile.
(b) Degradation of agricultural land : Removal of essential minerals and humus from soil reduces its productivity and degrades agricultural land.
(c) Effects on Vegetation : Degradation of soil leads to inferior quality of vegetation due to lack of nutrients.

Question 3.
What are the indirect consequences of soil erosion ?
Answer:
The indirect consequences of soil erosion are :
(a) Floods : The eroded materials get deposited in the river valleys and raise the height of the river beds. Hence, carrying capacity of the channels get reduced, causing floods.
(b) Siltation : Regular deposition of sand, silt, clay, etc, in rivers, lakes, etc. causes formation of sand bars.
(c) Fall of ground water : Soil cover helps to absorb rain water gradually and recharge ground water. If soil cover is removed, water falls on hard rocky surface and slips away before absorption.
(d) Land slide : Soil erosion due to deforestation of mountain slopes causes rocks and boulders to loosen, resulting in landslides.
(e) Econonic set back: Agriculture suffers a lot due to soil erosion. This results in a severe economic set back.

Question 4.
Differentiate between Bhangar and Khadar soils.
Answer:

Bhangar	Khadar
i. Made up of old alluvium.	i. Made up of new alluvium.
ii. Comparatively old, coarse and less fertile.	ii. Relatively new, fine and fertile.
iii. Found in the upper sides of the river valleys.	iii. Found in the flood plains and deltas of rivers.
iv. Silt is pebbly and contains Kankar nodules.	iv. Silt is fine and free from Kankar nodules.
v. Soil is dry, porous and sandy.	v. Soil is moist, fine and compact.

Question 5.
Compare between Red soil and Laterite soil.
Answer:

Red Soil	Laterite Soil
i. Formed by less eluviation in comparatively drier and hot regions.	i. Formed by high eluviation and removal of silica from top soil by heavy rainfall.
ii. Found in tropical and sub tropical areas of less rainfall.	ii. Found in hot wet tropical regions.
iii. Usually formed by chemical reactions in soils due to excessive temperature.	iii. Usually formed by mechanical actions of eluviation.
iv. Found in Chotanagpur region.	iv. Found in small parts of Deccan plateau.
v. Mainly formed from granite and gneiss rocks.	v. Mainly formed from basalt and traces of granite.

Question 6.
Compare between Desert soil and Saline soil.
Answer:

Desert soil	Saline soil
i. Found in arid and semi arid regions of Western Rajasthan, Northern Gujarat and Southern Punjab.	i. Found along the eastern and western coasts of India.
ii. It is coarse and Sandy in texture (90-95% sand particles).	ii. It contains sandy as well as clayey soil particles.
iii. It contains high percentage of soluble salts.	iii. It contains 10-40 % of organic matter.
iv. It is highly alkaline in nature.	iv. It is highly acidic in nature.
v. It is poor in organic matter and not fertile.	v. It is saline in nature due to oceanic influence and not fertile.
vi. Crops like millets are grown.	vi. Crops like coconut and beetle nut are grown.

Question 7.
Write a short note on the regions that face severe soil erosion in India.
Answer:
Soil erosion is most predominant in regions where the agents of mechanical weathering are highly active. Eg. : Tropical monsoon climatic regions, desert regions, mountainous regions etc.
The scenario of soil erosion in India is as follows :

1. Potato cultivation without proper terracing in the Nilgiris has led to high erosion.
2. Gully erosion has affected regions in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh etc.
3. Uncertain rainfall has speeded up erosion in Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh etc.
4. Coastal soil erosion and movement of sand dunes have affected Gujarat etc.

Answer in details : 5 Marks

Question 1.
Discuss the causes of soil erosion.
Answer:
The various causes of soil erosion are:

1. Surface runoff : Soil is highly eroded by surface runoff of rain water. Rate of erosion depends on amount of rainfall, duration, size of raindrops and condition of land surface (open or covered with vegetation).
2. Wind : Wind causes much soil erosion is open, tree-less and arid regions.
3. Topography : Level of soil erosion is higher on mountain slopes than on plain lands due to the effect of gravitational force.
4. Pressure of excessive population on land: Excessive population compels use of land for several social and economic activities, for which natural vegetation has to be cut off. This increases the level of soil erosion.
5. Over-grazing : Over-grazing on pastures causes exposure of soil to the agents of erosion due to removal of vegetative cover.
6. Unscientific mining : Unscientific mining may cause subsidence or collapse of land, leading to heavy rates of soil erosion.
7. Landslide : Landslides on mountain slopes expose soil to the agents of erosion.
8. Deforestation : Cutting down of trees loosen the top soil and increases the rate of erosion.
9. Nature of rainfall : Torrential showers and big drops of rain cause the top soil to loosen and wash away easily.
10. Methods of farming : Cultivation of the same crop every year reduces the quality of soil and tends to increase erosion.
11. Others : Phenomena like floods, droughts, volcanic activities, earthquakes, forest fires etc. also cause soil erosion.

Question 2.
Discuss the methods of Soil conservation.
Answer:
The different methods of soil conservation are :

1. Afforestation : More and more trees should be planted especially on open or barren lands.
2. Terracing : Terracing of mountain slopes reduces the gradient and prevents soil erosion by washing away.
3. Strip cropping : Cultivation of crops in strips across the slope of the mountains help in breaking the slope, hence reduces erosion.
4. Contour farming : In this method, a number of small dams are built at equal heights of mountain slopes. This prevents rapid flow of water along the slopes, thus reducing soil erosion.
5. Shelter belt : Planting tall trees across the direction of wind flow helps to reduce soil erosion.
6. Controllod grazing : Scope should be left for grasses to grow again in between grazing, so that the vegetative cover does not get removed totally.
7. Stopping shifting cultivation : Primitive methods like shifting cultivation (egJhum cultivation) on mountain slopes and forested lands must be stopped in order to prevent soil erosion.
8. Gully plouging : In regions affected by gully erosion, dams can be built across gullies to prevent waterflow. Trees can be planted along the dams to stop erosion.

Question 3.
Describe the different types of soils found in India.
Answer:
The different type of soils found in India are :
i. Alluvial soil : This is a very fertile soil found in the river valleys, flood plains and deltas of rivers Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri etc. The soil is rich is calcium, phosphoric acid, lime, potash, humus etc. This soil is the best for agriculture.

ii. Black soil : Commonly known as Regur, this is a black, clayey, sticky and hard soil that originates from basaltic rocks of lava plateaus, especially the Deccan plateau region. It is good for growing cotton, sugarcane, wheat, groundnut etc.

iii. Red soil : This is a reddish infertile soil that develops from crystalline igneous rocks in areas of poor rainfall. It is found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Jharkhand.

iv. Laterite soil : This soil is found in areas of heavy rainfall in the Western Ghats, Chotanagpur and hills of Meghalaya. It is an infertile soil formed by leaching away of minerals from the top layers. Crops like cashew, tapioca, cotton, wheat etc. grow in very less amount in this soil.

v. Desert soil : This is a coarse, sandy, porous, infertile soil found in arid regions of Western Rajasthan, Northern Gujarat and Southern Punjab. It is poor in organic matter and rich in soluble salts.

vi. Saline soil : This is found along the eastern and western coastal regions of India. The soil is black, heavy, acidic and full of organic matter. It contains both sand and clay particles. It is saline due to oceanic actions.

vii. Mountain soil : This is an acidic soil rich in iron content but deficient of lime. This is found in the mountainous regions of the Himalaya. This is suitable for growing tea, fruits, rice etc.

Question 4.
How does the presence of different types of soil in different parts of India influence the economy of the county?
Answer:
India is a huge country and has different kinds of soil in different parts of the country. Each soil has its own characteristics, hence influences the economy differently.
i. Presence of alluvial soil in the river valleys, flood plains, delta regions etc. makes them highly fertile and promotes very high levels of agriculture. Thus, presence of this soil makes India basically an agricultural country.

ii. Apart from alluvial soil, the other soils present in the country are also used for growing crops. Different types of soil help in growing different kinds of crops. Hence, a variety of crops can easily be grown in India.

iii. The variety of soils produce a variety of crops, which help to need various demands of the economy. Some soils are used for growing food crops (eg. alluvial soil grows rice well). Some soils help to grow cash crops (eg. black cotton soil helps to grow cotton, sugarcane etc.) Some soils help to grow beverage crops (eg. mountain soils help to grow tea and coffee).

iv. Different types of soil have different structures and textures. Hence, the hardness of the land surface, the porosity, water holding capacity etc. of a region depend upon what kind of soil the region is made up of. This in turn influences other economic activities. Eg- building of roads, railway lines, high rise buildings etc. are dependent on the quality of the soil.

Question 5.
What are the necessities of soil conservation?
Answer:
The process of preventing soil erosion and degradation by natural as well as artificial methods is known as ‘soil conservation’. The necessities of soil conservation can be listed as follows :

1. The top soil must be protected from washing away so that essential nutrients are not lost due to erosion.
2. Removal of essential nutrients from soil reduces productivity of the land. Soil must be protected to prevent degradation of agricultural land.
3. Inferior soil will lead to inferior crops. Soils must be protected to ensure good crops with respect to quality and quantity.
4. Washing away of soils leads to blocking and raising of river beds. This leads to frequent flooding of the rivers. Hence soil erosion must be controlled to control flood.
5. Soil erosion leads to high levels of siltation and formation of sandbars. This may cause rivers to change directions and cause devastations. Hence soil erosion must be checked.
6. Soil helps to absorb rain water and recharge the underground water reserve. Erosion of soil will reduce seepage of water considerably.
7. Soil erosion due to deforestation on mountain slopes lead to landslides. Hence, protection of soil cover on mountain slopes is very essential.
8. Soil is a very important factor of economic development. It influences agriculture, industrial growth, construction of railways, roadways and buildings. Hence, loss of soil cover will lead to a set back in economic development.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) 1 Mark

Question 1.
The new alluvium found near the Ganga river is called
(A) Tarai
(B) Bhabar
(C) Khadar
(D) Bhangar
Answer:
(C) Khadar

Question 2.
Which state has very little alluvial soil area ?
(A) Tamil Nadu
(B) Haryana
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) West Bengal
Answer:
(C) Madhya Pradesh

Question 3.
Khadar soils are found
(A) In piedmont plains
(B) In flood plains
(C) Over low plateau
(D) Over steep slopes
Answer:
(B) In flood plains

Question 4.
The old alluvium of the river valleys of North Indian plains is known as
(A) Bhangar
(B) Khadar
(C) Bhur
(D) Bhabar
Answer:
(A) Bhangar

Question 5.
Laterite soil are found in the
(A) Rajasthan desert
(B) Chotanagpur plateau
(C) Ganga plain
(D) Punjab plain
Answer:
(B) Chotanagpur plateau

Question 6.
The alluvial soil is
(A) Dry, porous and sandy
(B) Black
(C) Brown
(D) Consistent of chemicals
Answer:
(A) Dry, porous and sandy

Question 7.
The Alluvial soil can
(A) Dry up in no time
(B) Contain moisture for long
(C) Be found on high mountains
(D) Turn into a rock which is a hardened mass
Answer:
(A) Dry up in no time

Question 8.
The fertility of the soil depends upon :
(A) Free availability of water
(B) Presence of chemicals and other elements
(C) Rotation of crops
(D) A single crop a year
Answer:
(B) Presence of chemicals and other elements

Question 9.
Alluvial Soil is that soil which :
(A) Comprises silt brought by the rivers
(B) Is sandy
(C) Is found on the mountains
(D) Is found in the forests
Answer:
(A) Comprises silt brought by the rivers

Question 10.
Black Soil is formed mostly on account of :
(A) Its continuous existence in hotter regions
(B) Non-availablity of enough water of the rivers
(C) The lava of the volcanoes
(D) The speedy flow of the rivers down the mountains
Answer:
(C) The lava of the volcanoes

Question 11.
Black Soil is :
(A) Porous, dry and sandy
(B) Sticky and compact
(C) Rocky in outlook
(D) Marshy in character
Answer:
(B) Sticky and compact

Question 12.
In India we can find Black soil in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and _______ state:
(A) Bihar
(B) Rajasthan
(C) Odisha
(D) Maharashtra
Answer:
(D) Maharashtra

Question 13.
Red Soil is mostly find where we find :
(A) Proximity of the sea
(B) Proximity of the rivers
(C) Crystalline rocks
(D) Stratified rocks
Answer:
(C) Crystalline rocks

Question 14.
We find ‘Red Soil’ in :
(A) J & K State
(B) Himachal Pradesh
(C) Assam
(D) Bengal and parts of Maharashtra
Answer:
(D) Bengal and parts of Maharashtra

Question 15.
Laterite Soil is formed :
(A) During the alternate periods of dry and wet weatheral spells
(B) Near the mountains and rivers
(C) Near the springs of water
(D) Near the rivers only
Answer:
(A) During the alternate periods of dry and wet weatheral spells

Question 16.
The largest and the most important of the soils in India is _________ soil.
(A) Laterite
(B) Black
(C) Red
(D) Alluvial
Answer:
(D) Alluvial

Question 17.
Red soils cover an area of _________ of the total cultivated area.
(A) 11 %
(B) 18%
(C) 15 %
(D) 20%
Answer:
(A) 11 %

Question 18.
These soils which are very porous are ________
(A) Brown soils
(B) Red soils
(C) Black soils
(D) Desert soils
Answer:
(D) Desert soils

Question 19.
The earth’s crust which consists of loose materials is generally called __________
(A) Rocks
(B) Oil
(C) Minerals
(D) Soils
Answer:
(D) Soils

Question 20.
With a lot of irrigation and manuring __________ soil can be used for cultivation.
(A) Charnozem
(B) Black
(C) Laterite
(D) Red
Answer:
(D) Red

Question 21.
Due to rapid evaporation desert soil becomes _________
(A) Loose
(B) Wet
(C) Saline
(D) Muddy
Answer:
(C) Saline

Question 22.
_________ prevent the spread of ravines.
(A) Plough
(B) Rain
(C) Clouds
(D) Check dams
Answer:
(D) Check dams

Question 23.
The soil has been classified into major groups by the ICAR ________
(A) Five
(B) Eight
(C) Ten
(D) Six
Answer:
(B) Eight

Question 24.
Alluvial soil lacks this content _________
(A) Porous
(B) Lime
(C) Nitrogenous
(D) Potash
Answer:
(C) Nitrogenous

Question 25.
The most typical soil of the Deccan region is this soil ___________
(A) Brown
(B) Laterite
(C) Black
(D) Red
Answer:
(B) Laterite

Question 26.
The presence of this oxide gives red colour to the soil ______
(A) Silicon
(B) Iron
(C) Calcium
(D) Magnesium
Answer:
(B) Iron

Question 27.
This soil supports pasture lands ______
(A) Chernozem
(B) Red
(C) Laterite
(D) Black
Answer:
(C) Laterite

Question 28.
The character of hill-soil varies according to _______
(A) Cloud
(B) Altitude
(C) Air pressure
(D) Wind direction
Answer:
(B) Altitude

Question 29.
Cotton grows well on ____________
(A) Brown soil
(B) Alluvial soil
(C) Black soil
(D) Red soil
Answer:
(C) Black soil

Question 30.
Near the Eastern Ghats and some elevated territories of Madhya Pradesh we find :
(A) Black soil
(B) Alluvial soil
(C) Laterite soil
(D) Red soil
Answer:
(C) Laterite soil

Question 31.
The driest soil is :
(A) Desert soil
(B) Black soil
(C) Red soil
(D) Saline soil
Answer:
(A) Desert soil

Question 32.
Soil Exhaustion means :
(A) The exhaustion of the fertility of the soil
(B) The removal of soil through the process of weathering
(C) The removal of soil through floods
(D) None of these
Answer:
(A) The exhaustion of the fertility of the soil

Question 33.
A mixture of sand, clay and silt is known as
(A) Loan
(B) Clayey soil
(C) Black soil
(D) Red soil
Answer:
(A) Loan

Question 34.
Alluvial soils generally have a low content of
(A) Nitrogen
(B) Phosphorus
(C) Potash
(D) All of these
Answer:
(D) All of these

Question 35.
________ is not found in black soil.
(A) Iron
(B) Magnesium
(C) Aluminium
(D) Phosphorus
Answer:
(D) Phosphorus

Question 36.
Black soils develop mostly under
(A) Arid conditions
(B) Semi-arid conditions
(C) Humid conditions
(D) None of these
Answer:
(B) Semi-arid conditions

Question 37.
soil is found in the Mizoram and Shillong plateau.
(A) Laterite soil
(B) Black soil
(C) Alluvial soil
(D) Red soil
Answer:
(D) Red soil

Question 38.
Red soil is poor in –
(A) Phosphorus
(B) Nitrogen
(C) Lime
(D) All of these
Answer:
(D) All of these

Question 39.
The sandy soil of Rajasthan is called –
(A) Khadar
(B) Bhangar
(C) Kollar
(D) Bhur
Answer:
(D) Bhur

Question 40.
Loam is regarded as the most suitable type of soil for crop cultivation because –
(A) It can hold enough water
(B) It drains well
(C) It contains adequate quantities of humus
(D) All of these
Answer:
(D) All of these

Fill in the blanks : 1 Mark

1. Podzol soil is found in _______ areas.
2. _______ soil areas are regarded as vegetative lands.
3. Granite and gneiss rocks break dam to form _______ soil.
4. _______ soil is very suitable for cultivation of saffron.
5. Excessive irrigation leads to increase in _______ of soil.
Answer :
1. Mountainous
2. Kallar
3. Red
4. Karewa
5. Salinity

State True or False : 1. Mark

1. Mountainous soil is naturally acidic and infertile in nature. [ ]
2. The newly deposited alluvial in a river valley is called regur. [ ]
3. Desert soils have more water holding capacities. [ ]
4. In winter season, landslides lead to soil erosion. [ ]
5. Laterite soil is commonly seen in desert regions. [ ]
6. Alluvial soil is good for cotton cultivation. [ ]
7. Millets grow well in desert soils. [ ]
8. Red soil is found in the Andaman and Nicobar Island. [ ]
9. Much aluviation occurs in laterite soil. [ ]
10. The soil research centre of India situated in Jodhpur. [ ]
Answer:
1. True
2. False
3. False
4. False
5. False
6. False
7. True
8. True
9. True
10. True

Match the following : 1 Mark

Region	Soil type
A. Malwa plateau	1. Alluvial
B. Dharwar plateau	2. Laterite
C. Punjab plains	3. Red
D. Western ghats	4. Regur

Answer:

Region	Soil type
A. Malwa plateau	4. Regur
B. Dharwar plateau	3. Red
C. Punjab plains	1. Alluvial
D. Western ghats	2. Laterite

Answer in few words : 1 Mark

Question 1.
Where is alluvial soil found in Northern India?
Answer:
In the river basins of Ganga, Indus and Brahmaputra.

Question 2.
Where is alluvial soil found in peninsular India?
Answer:
The plains of Gujarat and deltas of rivers Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery.

Question 3.
What is new alluvial soil known as?
Answer:
Khadar.

Question 4.
What is old alluvial soil known as ?
Answer:
Bhangar.

Question 5.
What is the other name of Black soil ?
Answer:
Ragur soil.

Question 6.
Name the areas where regur soil is found.
Answer:
Regur is found in the Deccan plateau, comprising Maharashtra plateau, Malwa plateau, Telengana-Raylaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, northern Karnataka, parts of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

Question 7.
Where is Laterite soil found in India?
Answer:
Hilly areas of Western Ghats, Chotanagpur plateau and hills of Meghalaya.

Question 8.
Where is red soil found in India ?
Answer:
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Jharkhand.

Question 9.
Where is desert soil found in India ?
Answer:
Western Rajasthan, Northern Gujarat and Southern Punjab.

Question 10.
Where is saline soil found in India?
Answer:
East and West coast of India and around the islands.

Question 11.
Where is Mountain soil found in India?
Answer:
Himalayan region.

Question 12.
What is Afforestation?
Answer:
Planting of trees on open and barren lands to prevent soil erosion, etc.

Question 13.
What is the method of reducing the gradient of slope to reduce soil erosion called?
Answer:
Terracing.

Question 14.
What do you mean by ‘Shelter Belt’ ?
Answer:
Planting of tall trees against the wind direction to prevent soil erosion.

Question 15.
What is siltation?
Answer:
Regular deposition of sand, silt, clay, etc. in rivers, lakes and other water bodies.