Question

Arrange in descending order the following soil types of India according to their area of predominance:
A. Alluvial soils
B. Red soils
C. Laterite soils
D. Black soils

• A. C, A, B, D
• B. A, C, B, D
• C. D, B, C, A
• D. A, B, D, C

Hint:

Remember the descending area order of the major four soil groups using the acronym:
A-R-B-L (Alluvial $>$ Red $>$ Black $>$ Laterite).
This covers more than 80% of India's total geographical area.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
India possesses diverse physiographic and climatic zones, resulting in different soil groups across the country.
Knowing the relative land area coverage of these major soil groups is a core component of agricultural planning.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us look at the approximate percentage land area coverage for each of the given soil groups in India:
A. Alluvial soils:
These soils are formed by depositional work of major rivers and cover approximately 43.4% of the total geographical area, making them the most dominant soil group.
B. Red soils:
Formed by the weathering of crystalline and metamorphic rocks in low rainfall areas, red soils occupy the second largest area, covering about 18.6% of the country.
D. Black soils (Regur):
Derived from basaltic volcanic rock in the Deccan trap region, black clayey soils occupy the third largest area, covering about 15.2% of India.
C. Laterite soils:
Formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall with intense leaching, these acidic soils cover about 3.7% of the total land area.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Arranging the soil types in descending order of their area:
Alluvial soils (A) $>$ Red soils (B) $>$ Black soils (D) $>$ Laterite soils (C).
This sequence is A, B, D, C, which corresponds to Option (D).