Home › PYQs › Agriculture › All questions › 1994 · Laterite
UPSC Prelims 1994 · Agriculture · Soils
Which one of the following soil types of India is rendered infertile by the presence of excess iron?
- (a) Desert sand
- (b) Alluvial
- (c) Podzolic
- (d) Lateritic
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (d) Lateritic
Laterite is leached of nutrients and rich in iron and aluminium oxides, making it infertile.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Desert soils are sandy and saline.
(b) Alluvial soils are fertile.
(c) Podzols are acidic soils of cold forests.
The trap
None.
🔒 Laterite: leaching in heavy rain → Fe/Al oxides; good for cashew, tea, coffee with manure; used as brick.