Which of the following soil types is also known as 'Usara Soils'?

The correct answer is Saline Soils.

Key Points

• Saline soils are also known as 'Usara soils' in India.
• These soils contain a high amount of soluble salts, primarily sodium chloride and other chlorides and sulfates.
• Saline soils are typically found in arid and semi-arid regions where evaporation exceeds precipitation.
• These soils are characterized by white crusts on the surface due to salt accumulation.

Important Points

• Saline soils require special management practices such as leaching, gypsum application, and proper irrigation to improve their fertility and productivity.
• The presence of excessive salts in saline soils can adversely affect plant growth by causing osmotic stress and nutrient imbalances.
• Saline soils are often found in regions with poor drainage and high water table levels.
• Reclamation of saline soils involves the removal of excess salts through improved drainage and soil amendments.

Additional Information

• Laterite Soils
  • Laterite soils are rich in iron and aluminum, formed in hot and wet tropical areas.
  • They are typically red or yellow in color and are used for building material due to their hardness when dried.
• Red Soils
  • ​Red soils are formed from the weathering of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
  • They contain high iron oxide content, giving them a reddish color.
  • These soils are found in regions with a warm, temperate, and moist climate.
• Regur Soils
  • Also known as Black Cotton Soils, regur soils are derived from volcanic rocks and are known for their high fertility.
  • They are particularly suitable for growing cotton and are found in the Deccan Plateau region of India