QUES . Discuss the economic significance of the volcanic soils of India.
HINTS:
Volcanic soils or Black soils are derivatives of trap lava and are spread mostly across interior Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh on the Deccan lava plateau and the Malwa Plateau, where there is both moderate rainfall and underlying basaltic rock.
Among the in situ soils of India, the black soils found in the lava-covered areas are the most conspicuous. Those soils are often referred to as regur but are popularly known as “black cotton soils,” since cotton has been the most common traditional crop in areas where they are found. As a general rule, black soils of uplands are of low fertility but they are darker, deeper and richer in the valleys.
Economic significance of volcanic soil or black soil or Regur soil of India
Volcanic soils are igneous in nature and have very fine clayey particles due to the cooling of lava at the earth’s surface. It is mineral-rich and contains lime, iron, magnesia, alumina, calcium, and potash, hence it supports a wide variety of plant species. However, black soil is lacking in nitrogen, phosphorous, and organic matter.
Black soils are found in rainfed areas of India and it has high moisture retaining capacity which reduces the cost of irrigation.
Because of their high clay content, black soils develop wide cracks during the dry season, but their iron-rich granular structure makes them resistant to wind and water erosion.
Self-ploughing is a characteristic of the black soil as it develops wide cracks when dried.
Deep black soil is highly productive due to the presence of high clay, iron, potash, and humus content.
Because of their high fertility and retentivity of moisture, the black soils are widely used for producing several important crops. Some of the major crops grown on the black soils are cotton, wheat, jowar, linseed, Virginia tobacco, castor, sunflower and millets. Rice and sugarcane are equally important where irrigation facilities are available. Large varieties of vegetables and fruits are also successfully grown on the black soils.
For high cotton yield, the cotton crops need a dry atmosphere and moist soil, hence black soil is most suitable for cotton cultivation.
Black soils are key for food security, nutritional security, and agro-based industry [cotton textile industry].
