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Laterite soils were formed in wet tropical conditions, causing rapid leaching of silicate and other minerals.

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Laterite soil is highly leached due to the heavy rainfall in tropical regions where it is typically found. The intense rainfall causes minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium to be washed away, leaving behind iron and aluminum oxides that give laterite soil its characteristic red color. This leaching process makes laterite soil nutrient-poor and unsuitable for most crops without proper management.

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Q: Why is laterite soil highly leached?
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Why are laterite soils known as leached soil?

Laterite soils are known as leached soils because they are heavily weathered and have lost most of their soluble nutrients and minerals due to the leaching process. Continuous rainfall leaches out the nutrients, leaving behind a soil that is nutrient-poor and acidic.


Why laterite soil undergoes leaching?

Laterite soil is characterized by high levels of iron and aluminum. When it rains, these elements dissolve in the water and are leached downward because they are not retained in the soil due to its low clay content. This leaching process can lead to soil infertility and nutrient depletion in laterite soils.


Why laterite soil is infertile?

Laterite soil is infertile due to its high iron oxide content, low nutrient levels, and poor water retention capacity. The soil is highly leached, meaning essential nutrients are washed away, leaving behind a nutrient-poor substrate that is not conducive for plant growth. Additionally, the soil's acidic nature further hinders the availability of nutrients to plants.


Which type of soil develops due to high temperature and rainfall?

Tropical rainforest soils, such as laterite soils, can develop in areas with high temperatures and rainfall. These soils are typically highly weathered and leached, resulting in lower fertility and mineral content.


Why is laterite soil highly acidic in nature?

Laterite soil is highly acidic primarily due to the leaching process, where rainfall washes away basic nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, leaving behind acidic components like iron and aluminum oxides. The weathering of minerals such as feldspar and basalt also contributes to the acidity of laterite soil as they release acidic compounds into the soil. Additionally, the high levels of iron and aluminum oxides make laterite soil prone to becoming acidic when they come into contact with water.

Related questions

Why are laterite soils known as leached soil?

Laterite soils are known as leached soils because they are heavily weathered and have lost most of their soluble nutrients and minerals due to the leaching process. Continuous rainfall leaches out the nutrients, leaving behind a soil that is nutrient-poor and acidic.


Why laterite soil undergoes leaching?

Laterite soil is characterized by high levels of iron and aluminum. When it rains, these elements dissolve in the water and are leached downward because they are not retained in the soil due to its low clay content. This leaching process can lead to soil infertility and nutrient depletion in laterite soils.


Why laterite soil is infertile?

Laterite soil is infertile due to its high iron oxide content, low nutrient levels, and poor water retention capacity. The soil is highly leached, meaning essential nutrients are washed away, leaving behind a nutrient-poor substrate that is not conducive for plant growth. Additionally, the soil's acidic nature further hinders the availability of nutrients to plants.


Which type of soil develops due to high temperature and rainfall?

Tropical rainforest soils, such as laterite soils, can develop in areas with high temperatures and rainfall. These soils are typically highly weathered and leached, resulting in lower fertility and mineral content.


Why is laterite soil highly acidic in nature?

Laterite soil is highly acidic primarily due to the leaching process, where rainfall washes away basic nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, leaving behind acidic components like iron and aluminum oxides. The weathering of minerals such as feldspar and basalt also contributes to the acidity of laterite soil as they release acidic compounds into the soil. Additionally, the high levels of iron and aluminum oxides make laterite soil prone to becoming acidic when they come into contact with water.


What is another name for red soil?

Another name for red soil is laterite.


Where laterite soil is found in India?

Laterite soil is found in Tamil Nadu and Orissa.


What are the types of red soil?

The main types of red soil are laterite soil, red clay soil, and red loam soil. Laterite soil is rich in iron and aluminium, red clay soil is highly fertile but prone to waterlogging, and red loam soil is a mix of sand, silt, and clay with good water retention capacity.


What happens in laterization process?

Laterization is a weathering process where minerals such as iron and aluminum oxides are leached from rocks in tropical regions, leaving behind a layer of iron-rich soil known as laterite. This type of soil is often low in nutrients, making it challenging for plant growth. Laterization can lead to the formation of distinct landscapes called laterite formations.


Why does laterite contain almost no organic material?

Laterite forms in tropical regions with high rainfall, which leaches away organic material. The intense weathering of the soil in these regions also breaks down organic matter quickly, leaving laterite with very little organic material.


What is texture of laterite soil?

what is texture of literate soil


What crops are grown in laterite soil?

the crops grown in laterite soil are coconut tea and coffee . it is rich in iron and aluminum hydroxide.