Indian Soils – Laterite Formation and Leaching in the Tropics Identify the typical soil of tropical regions formed by intense weathering of laterite rock, where heavy rainfall promotes strong leaching of bases and silica:

Introduction / Context:
Laterite and lateritic soils are widespread in humid tropical climates with alternating wet and dry seasons. Strong chemical weathering and leaching alter parent materials, concentrating iron and aluminum oxides and depleting bases, which affects fertility and land use decisions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Tropical climatic setting with heavy rainfall.
• Parent material: laterite rock or weathered profiles with ferrallitic characteristics.
• Leaching is a prominent process, moving bases and silica downward or out of the profile.

Concept / Approach:
Laterite soils (lateritic) form under strong leaching and oxidation. They are often reddish to yellowish due to iron oxides and can harden upon exposure (induration). While productive with careful management and amendments, they tend to be low in bases and require fertilization for intensive agriculture.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Soil maps of India show laterites in high-rainfall belts (Western Ghats, NE states), matching the description of leached profiles.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Black soil: Derived from basalt, high clay (smectite), swelling-shrinking; not intense leaching type.
• Red and yellow soil: Color classes; may not specifically indicate lateritic leaching intensity.
• Peat and marshy soil: Organic-rich in waterlogged areas, unrelated to lateritization.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming any red soil is laterite. Laterite implies specific leaching and oxide accumulation processes beyond just color.

Final Answer:
laterite soils