Indian Soil Nomenclature – Meaning of “Regur” In the context of Indian agriculture, the traditional term “regur” refers specifically to which soil type?

Introduction / Context:
Regional names for soils often reflect traditional agricultural practices and local terminology. In India, “regur” is a well-known term tied to crop suitability and geographic distribution, especially across the Deccan plateau.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks for the specific soil type denoted by “regur.”
• Regur is associated with cotton cultivation historically.
• These soils exhibit distinctive physical behavior (cracking in dry season, swelling when wet).

Concept / Approach:
Regur means black cotton soil, largely Vertisols derived from basaltic rocks. High clay (smectitic) content leads to shrink-swell behavior, deep cracks, and high moisture-holding capacity, making them suitable for cotton and several dryland crops with appropriate management.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Soil surveys and textbooks equate regur with Vertisols across Maharashtra, MP, parts of Karnataka, and Gujarat.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Deltaic alluvial soils: River-deposited; not regur.
• Lateral soils: Likely a misspelling for lateritic; different process and color.
• Red and yellow soils: Broader color classes; not the regur term.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing lateritic “red” soils with black cotton soils because of regional overlap; their mineralogy and behavior are very different.

Final Answer:
black cotton soils