Question

Distinguish between the soil found in the plains of India and the soil found in Central Maharashtra.

Answer 1

Sr. No.	Feature	Soil of the Plains of India	Soil of the Plains of India
1.	Origin & Type	Ex-situ (transported) soil formed by river deposition from the Himalayas.	In-situ (residual) soil formed by the weathering of volcanic basalt lava rocks.
2.	Texture	Loamy to sandy-loam texture; light, porous, and well-aerated.	Highly clayey texture; sticky when wet and cracks deeply when dry
3.	Water Retention	Low to moderate moisture-holding capacity; drains quickly.	Exceptionally high moisture-retention capacity; holds water for long periods.
4.	Chemical Content	Rich in potash and lime; poor in nitrogen and phosphorus.	Rich in iron, lime, calcium, and magnesia; poor in nitrogen.
5.	Major Crops	Best suited for rice, wheat, sugarcane, and jute.	Best suited for cotton, oilseeds, millets, and citrus fruits.