Assertion (A) : The percentage of net sown area in the total area of Andhra Pradesh is less as compared to that of West Bengal. Reason (R) : The soil of most of Andhra Pradesh is laterite.
✓ Correct answer: c) A is true but R is false
ExplanationAssertion (A) is true : Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal exhibit contrasting agricultural land use patterns.Andhra Pradesh has a net sown area of approximately 40%, while West Bengal utilizes about 60% of its land for cultivation.This differ- ence in land utilization makes the initial assertion about their respective net sown areas correct.Reason (R) is false : Most of Andhra Pradesh has red sandy soils, black cotton soils, and alluvial soils, not predominantly laterite soils.Laterite soils are found in parts of the Eastern Ghats and some upland areas, but they do not dominate the state’s agricultural landscape.Laterite soil is a highly weathered, red to yellow soil rich in iron and aluminum oxides, formed in hot, humid tropical regions due to intense leaching.It is poor in fertility, acidic, and best suited for crops like tea, coffee, cashew, and rubber with proper soil management.Laterite soil in India is found in Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, West Bengal etc. 279
Practice more Geography PYQs
Attempt a free 10-question quiz or browse the full Geography previous-year-question bank with instant answers and explanations.
🌍 Geography PYQs →