Question

Explain the main features of alluvial soil.

Hint:

Alluvial soil supports dense farming and feeds a large part of India’s population.

Answer 1

Alluvial soil, prevalent across India, is highly fertile. Key characteristics are:
Formation: Created by sediment deposition from rivers such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus.
Fertility: Abundant in essential minerals (potash, lime, phosphoric acid), making it excellent for farming.
Texture: Composed of fine particles with strong water retention.
Distribution: Dominantly found in the Indo-Gangetic plain, deltas, and river valleys.
Types: Includes Khadar (new, more fertile alluvium) and Bangar (old, less fertile alluvium). Suitable crops are rice, wheat, sugarcane, and pulses.