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What is the composition of laterite soil?

What is the composition of laterite soil?

Laterite soil is rich in aluminum and iron, formed in wet and hot tropical areas. Almost all laterites are rusty red due to the presence of iron oxides. It is prepared by the long-lasting and intensive weathering of the parent rock.

What does laterite soil contain high amounts of?

Laterite soil contains high amounts of iron oxide and aluminum oxide. The iron oxide comes from rocks that have been broken down or weathered….

Is laterite soil rich in nutrients?

laterite, soil layer that is rich in iron oxide and derived from a wide variety of rocks weathering under strongly oxidizing and leaching conditions. It forms in tropical and subtropical regions where the climate is humid.

Is laterite soil rich in nitrogen?

Laterite soils are rich in bauxite or ferric oxides. They are very poor in lime, magnesia, potash and nitrogen.

Is a chemical characteristics of laterite soil?

The significant features of the lateritic soils are their unique color, poor fertility, and high clay content and lower cation exchange capacity. In addition, lateritic soils possess a great amount of iron and aluminum oxides [1].

How is the laterite soil formed?

The laterite soil is formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall with alternate wet and dry periods, which leads to leaching of soil, leaving only oxides of iron and aluminum. It lacks fertility due to a lower base-exchanging capacity and a lower content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Is laterite soil acidic in nature?

Laterite soils and Forest soils are acidic in nature. High rainfalls leach away the cations into sub soil region.

Is laterite soil formed by leaching?

Main reason of laterite soils formation is due to intense leaching. Leaching happens due to high tropical rains and high temperature. These soils are poor in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphate and calcium, while iron oxide and potash are in excess. These soils are developed on the summits of hills and uplands.

How can I make my laterite soil more fertile?

The pebbly crust is the important feature of laterites which is formed due to alteration of wet and dry periods. These soils are acidic in character due to leaching. Application of manures and fertilisers is required for making these soils fertile for cultivation.

What are the characteristics of laterite soil?

Laterite soil develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall. Humus content of the soil is low because most of the micro organisms, particularly the decomposer like bacteria, get destroyed due to high temperature. Laterite soils are suitable for cultivation with adequate doses of manures and fertilizers.

What is the process by which laterite soil is formed?

Laterite soil is formed by chemical weathering that causes leaching of the parent sedimentary rocks, which is known as ‘lateralization’.

How is laterite soil formed give the main characteristics of laterite soil?

The formation of the laterite soil – The laterite soil is formed by high temperatures and intense rainfall with alternate wet and dry periods, resulting in soil leaching and the removal of only iron and aluminum oxides. Some crops can be grown when the soils are manured and irrigated.

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