Question

Mention two characteristics of black soil.

Explain two important characteristics of Black soil.

Answer 1

This soil is black in colour and is also known as the Black Cotton Soil or Regur soil. It is dark in colour and is suitable for cotton cultivation. This soil is the residual soil, i.e., it is formed at the place of its origin over the underlying rocks. Since it is formed by the denudation of volcanic rocks, it is also known as lava soil.

Characteristics of Regur (Black) Soil:

1. Texture: It is fine textured and clayey in nature (up to 50% clay content) and, therefore, highly retentive of water. Because of the high clay content, this soil expands when wet and becomes difficult to plough. During the dry season, it shrinks and develops big cracks, which help in air circulation. This characteristic causes a kind of 'self-ploughing.'.
2. Minerals: It has high quantities of lime, iron, and magnesium and a generally poor percentage of phosphorous, nitrogen and organic matter.