Name three states having black soil and the crop which is mainly grown in it

Soil is the loose material or upper layer of the mantle rock that mostly consists of very fine particles and humus that can sustain plant growth. Mineral/rock fragments, some decomposed organic matter, soil water, soil air, and living organisms make up the majority of soil. Parent material, relief, climate, vegetation, life forms, and time are the main determinants of soil formation.

Black Soil

Black soils are mineral soils that have a black surface horizon that is at least 25 cm deep and rich in organic carbon. There are two recognised categories of black soils. While still encompassing a larger variety of soils, the categories are differentiated to acknowledge the higher value and hence greater need for conservation of specific soils.

The black soils found in the lava-covered areas are the most noticeable among India’s in situ soils. Since cotton has been the most prevalent traditional crop in the regions where they are located, these soils are frequently referred to as regur but are more commonly known as black cotton soils. On the Deccan lava plateau and the Malwa Plateau, where there is moderate rainfall and underlying basaltic rock, black soils, which are derivatives of trap lava, are primarily found in interior Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.

Black soils have a high percentage of clay, which causes large fissures to form during the dry season, yet their iron-rich granular structure prevents wind and water erosion. Despite having little humus, they are very moisture-retentive and respond well to irrigation. These soils can also be found on numerous peripheral tracts where river processes have caused the underlying basalt to be moved from its original position. Only a higher concentration of clastic contents has resulted from the filtering.

Characteristics

1. About 15% of the nation’s total land area is covered by it.
2. It includes the majority of the Deccan Plateau, including portions of Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The black soil is quite deep in the higher reaches of the Godavari and Krishna rivers as well as the northwestern portion of the Deccan Plateau.
3. These soils range in colour from deep black to grey.
4. The majority of the black soils are deep, clayey, and impermeable. When wet during the rainy season, they expand considerably and become sticky. The earth shrinks and forms large fractures during the dry season as the moisture escapes.
5. Iron, lime, aluminium, magnesium, and potassium are all abundant in black soils. However, these soils are lacking in organic matter, phosphate, and nitrogen.
6. Black soil is typically used for the cultivation of cotton, pulses, millets, castor, tobacco, sugarcane, citrus fruits, linseed, and other crops.

Major Crop Grown on Black Soil: Cotton 

Subtropical regions all throughout the world are frequently home to cotton, a seed fibre used for hair. Fibre is a synthetic material that is used to create a variety of different materials, including carbon fibre. Synthetic fibres may be made on a big scale and are less expensive than natural fibres. However, as compared to synthetic fibres, natural fibres have a bigger benefit in terms of comfort.

In India, the states of Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh are where cotton is primarily grown. It is raised in a warm climate with black clayey soil. When the plant first begins to bloom, it produces flowers that are yellowish-white in colour but become red after a few days. the procedures used in its cultivation.

Sample Questions

Question 1: How many types of Soil deposits are there in India?

Answer:

In India, there are eight soil deposits. They are peaty or marsh soil, saline or alkaline soil, alluvial soil, black soil, red soil, laterite soil, desert or arid soil, forest and mountainous soil, and black, red, and laterite soil. The sediment that the rivers carry down creates these soils. They also possess a variety of chemical traits.

Question 2: Where do we get black soil?

Answer:

Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, along with small portions of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu are the main locations for these soils.

Question 3: What are the characteristics of black soil?

Answer:

The very fine, or clayey, substance that makes up the black soils. They are renowned for having a high moisture absorption rate. They are also abundant in soil nutrients including calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime, among others.