Which one of the following is found in appreciable amount in Laterite soil in India ?
Calcium
Phosphate
Potash
Nitrogen
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2024
Laterite soils are formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall, which leads to intense leaching. This process removes soluble bases (like calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium) and silica, leaving behind hydrated oxides of iron and aluminum. Therefore, laterite soils are typically deficient in nitrogen (due to low organic matter), potash (potassium), and calcium (lime).
While laterite soils are generally low in all the listed nutrients (Calcium, Phosphate, Potash, Nitrogen), total phosphorus content can sometimes be present in relatively appreciable amounts compared to the very low levels of nitrogen, potassium, and calcium, although a significant portion of this phosphorus is fixed by iron and aluminum oxides and is unavailable to plants. Assuming “appreciable amount” refers to total content rather than plant-available content or relative to other deficient elements, Phosphate is the most plausible option among the choices, despite the overall low fertility of laterite soils.