🌍 GeographyUPSC 2021Soil

The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of:

aBrown forest soil
bFissure volcanic rock
cGranite and schist
dShale and limestone
✓ Correct answer: b) Fissure volcanic rock
ExplanationBlack cotton soil, also known as regur soil, is highly valued in India because of its excellent moisture-retaining prop- erties and suitability for cotton cultivation.Black cotton soil is primarily formed from the weathering of basaltic rocks, which are a type of fissure volcanic rock.These basaltic rocks were originally erupted during the Cretaceous period as part of the Deccan Traps in the northwest Deccan plateau.The weathering process of these volcanic rocks releases minerals that, combined with climatic factors, result in the formation of the distinctive black soil.The high clay content of black cotton soil enables it to retain moisture efficiently.Its properties make it particularly suitable for cotton cultivation, hence the alternative name “black cotton soil.” 97

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