Question

Give reasons for the following.

Laterite soil is not very good for cultivation.

Answer 1

1. Intense leaching: Heavy rainfall in the tropics washes away soluble nutrients, leaving the topsoil depleted.
2. Low nutrient content: It is deficient in essential plant nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and often phosphorus.
3. Low organic matter: Little humus/organic matter is present, so biological fertility is poor.
4. Acidic nature and high iron/aluminium oxides: The soil is often acidic and rich in iron/aluminium compounds (which can bind nutrients and be toxic in excess).
5. Poor moisture retention: The soil does not hold water well and becomes dry and hard between rains, stressing crops.
6. Shallow, coarse and often gravelly profile: Limited depth and coarse texture restrict root growth and reduce available soil volume for plants.
7. Tends to form hard crusts/pans with alternate wetting and drying, making tillage and root penetration difficult.