Which of the following statements is true regarding Laterite soil in India? 1. Laterite soil develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall. 2. Laterite soil is rich in humus and found in West Bengal, Assam and Odisha.

The correct answer is Only 1 is true . Key Points Laterite soil is a reddish weathering product of basalt. It is rich in iron and aluminium and is commonly considered to have formed in hot and wet tropical areas. It may contain clay minerals; but they tend to be silica-poor, for silica is leached out by waters passing through the soil. The laterite soils develop in areas with high temperatures and heavy rainfall . These are the result of intense leaching due to tropical rains. Hence, statement 1 is correct . The Humus content of the soil is low because most of the microorganisms, particularly the decomposers, like bacteria, get destroyed due to high temperatures. Hence, statement 2 is not correct . In India, laterite soil is widespread, covering over 10% of the total geographical area. The soils are commonly found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and the hilly areas of Odisha and Assam .