Geography - Soil Flashcards
Mention two differences between Alluvial Soil and Black Cotton Soil.
Alluvial Soil: 1. Transported soil. Brought down by the agents of erosion. 2. Pale brown in colour. 3. Replenished by floods during rainy season. 4. Found in the floodplain and delta regions.
Black Cotton Soil: 1. Residual Soil. Formed by denudation of lava rocks. 2. Black Soils very in colour from deep black to chestnut brown. 3. Formed in-situ. 4. Found in the Deccan Trap region.
Name an area in India in which each of the following processes take place: 1. Sheet erosion 2. Gully erosion.
- Sheet erosion: North-Eastern States like Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. 2. Gully erosion: Chambal ravines.
What is Soil Conservation? State a method of Soil Conservation in the: i) Arid and Semi-Arid region ii) River Valleys prone to flood.
Soil conservation is an effort made by man to prevent soil erosion to retain the fertility of the soil.
1. Arid and Semi-arid region: Belts of tree and shrubs should be planted to check the velocity of wind and thus prevent soil erosion.
2. River valleys prone to flood: Constructing dam and barrages would check the speed of water and save the soil from erosion.
Name the Soil which: 1. is good for cultivation of Sugarcane 2. is acidic in nature 3. occurs ex-situ
Black Soil – Best for sugarcane cultivation due to its moisture retention.
Laterite Soil – Acidic in nature, found in high rainfall areas.
Alluvial Soil – Ex-situ in origin, as it is transported and deposited by rivers
What is Soil erosion? Mention two steps that could be taken to prevent soil erosion.
Soil erosion: It is the removal of top soil by different agents of weathering like running water, wind, overgrazing etc.
Two steps to prevent soil erosion: 1. Afforestation 2. Terrace Farming
Mention two similarities between red soil and laterite soil.
- Both the soils are red in colour due to the presence of iron oxide.
- Both the soils respond well to irrigation and manuring.
- Both the soils are poor in nitrogen and organic matter.
State the characteristics of Black Soil.
- Fine textured and clayey in nature.
- High quantities of lime, iron, magnesium; fertile.
- Black in colour, formed from weathered lava rocks, in-situ soil, suitable for cotton cultivation.
- High water holding capacity.
State the characteristics of Red Soil.
- Red in colour due to high percentage of iron oxide.
- PH value ranges from 6.6 to 8.0.
- Poor in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic matter.
- Responds to irrigation and fertilizers, suitable for crop cultivation.
State the characteristics of Laterite Soil.
- Coarse texture, soft and friable.
- Red due to the presence of iron oxide formed by leaching.
- Silica is removed by chemical action.
- Poor in lime, magnesium and nitrogen.
- Acidic in nature.
State the characteristics of Alluvial Soil.
- Formed by the deposition of river load.
- Light and porous, easily tillable.
- Fertile, rich in minerals like potash and lime.
- Found up to a depth of 500 meters.
State the geographic term for each of the following processes: 1. The process by which soluble minerals dissolve in rain water and percolate to the bottom, leaving the top soil infertile. 2. The process by which rainwater, flowing in definite paths, removes the top soil, thus causing deep cuts to the surface of the land.
- Leaching 2. Gully erosion
State any three methods of controlling Soil erosion.
- Terrace Farming: Terraces act as bunds and prevent soil from being washed away.
- Contour Ploughing: Prevents soil from being washed away by rainwater or surface runoff.
- Planting trees (Afforestation): Prevents soil erosion and enhances water retention.
Name The Soil which: 1. is good for the cultivation of cashew nuts 2. covers almost all of West Bengal 3. is a result of leaching.
- Laterite Soil 2. Alluvial Soil 3. Laterite Soil
Name the process by which Laterite Soil is formed. Mention one disadvantage of this Soil.
Laterite Soil is formed by leaching in regions of alternate wet and dry spells.
Disadvantage: It is acidic and cannot retain moisture.
With reference to Red Soil in India, answer the following questions: i) Name two states where it is found. ii) State two advantages of this type of soil. iii) Mention two crops grown in this Soil.
i) Tamil Nadu, Karnataka ii) High iron oxide content and potash. Becomes productive with fertilizers. iii) Rice, millets, Sugarcane.
Name two states in India where Regur Soil is found. In what way does Regur Soil help agriculture?
i) Maharashtra and Gujarat. ii) High lime, iron and magnesium content. Clayey and moisture retentive, suitable for crops like cotton, Jowar, wheat, Sugarcane, linseed and grass.
State the difference between Alluvial soil found in the lower courses and the upper courses of rivers.
Upper course: 1. Coarser particles, bigger in size. 2. Dry, less compact. 3. Old alluvium.
Lower course: 1. Finer and finest particles. 2. More moist and compact. 3. New alluvium.
Name two agents of erosion. For each, state one method of controlling the erosion caused.
- Water - Method: Building dams and embankments.
- Wind - Method: Planting trees and vegetation.
Name the Soil which: 1. covers the summits of the Eastern Ghats 2. makes up the delta of the River Ganga 3. is the most suitable for the cultivation of cotton 4. is sticky when wet and cracks when dry.
- Laterite Soil 2. Alluvial Soil 3. Black Soil 4. Black Soil
What is Soil Conservation? How does reafforestation help in Soil conservation?
Soil Conservation: Protecting the soil from erosion.
Reafforestation: Roots of trees hold the soil in place, preventing wind and water erosion. Replanting trees increases forest cover.
Name the process by which laterite soil is formed. What climatic conditions are responsible for its formation?
Laterite Soil is formed by intensive leaching due to heavy rain.
Climatic conditions: High temperature and heavy rainfall with alternating wet and dry periods, typical of monsoon lands.
Name the soil which is formed due to high temperature and heavy rainfall with alternating wet and dry periods. Name two states where this type is found.
Laterite Soil.
States: Orissa and Karnataka.
Name any two farming techniques which help in Soil Conservation.
- Contour Ploughing 2. Terrace Farming
Explain the formations of Alluvial soil.
- Formed by the denudation of different types of rocks.
- Deposition of silt by the rivers.
- Eroded materials transported by wind and rivers and sedimented in lowland areas.
Give the name of all crops grown in Alluvial Soil.
Rice, wheat, Sugar cane, Jute, millets, pulses.
Mention areas where alluvial soil is Found? (Distribution)
North India: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Brahmaputra valley.
South India: Coastal Strips of Peninsular India like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh.
How is the black soil formed? / Explain the formation of Black Soil.
- Formed by the breaking up of volcanic rocks, mainly basalt.
- Eroded materials mixed with organic matter form the soil.
- Formed in-situ.
Mention name of all crops grown in Black Soil.
Cotton, Sugar cane, wheat, tobacco, but cotton is the major crop.
Mention areas where Black Soils found/(Distribution)
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh.
How is red Soil formed? / Explain the process of red Soil.
- Weathering of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
- Leaching of minerals except iron oxide from horizon-A to horizon-C.
Mention name of all crops in red soil after providing irrigation and fertilizer.
Sugarcane, Pulses, Jowar, rice, wheat.
Mention areas where red soils found/(Distribution)
Eastern parts of Peninsular Plateau: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha and Goa.
How is laterite soil formed? / Explain the process to form the laterite Soil
Formation of Laterite Soil:
Intense Leaching – In areas of heavy rainfall and high temperature, rainwater washes away silica and other minerals, leaving behind iron and aluminum oxides. Chemical Weathering – Continuous weathering of igneous rocks under humid conditions leads to the breakdown of minerals. Hardening Over Time – Due to oxidation, the soil becomes hard and compact, forming laterite soil.
Mention areas where laterite Soil found. /(Distribution)
Summits of Eastern and Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh.
Name the Indian soil which is formed due to the weathering of basic igneous rocks.
Black Soil
An important transported soil of India.
Alluvial Soil.
Soil that is rich in iron oxide.
Laterite Soil.
Mention One way in which man is responsible for soil erosion.
Large scale deforestation done for agriculture, Man allows their livestock to overgraze land.
