(i) Very dark, cracking clay-dominated soils;

(ii) locally called regur, karail, and bhal;

(iii) high clay varying from 30–60%, base-rich;

(iv) occur in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and some parts of Karnataka and T.N. __________- is called

[A] Black Soils
[B] Alluvial Soils
[C] Red Soils
[D] Laterite and Lateritic Soils

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is A

The Correct Option (a): [A] Black Soils

• Black soils are:
• Very dark in colour
• Clay-dominated with clay content ranging from 30–60%
• They exhibit:
• Wide cracks during dry season due to shrink–swell property
• High base saturation (rich in calcium and magnesium)
• Locally known as:
• Regur, Karail, and Bhal
• Major distribution in India:
• Maharashtra
• Madhya Pradesh
• Gujarat
• Rajasthan
• Chhattisgarh
• Parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
• Hence, all the given characteristics perfectly describe Black soils.

Explanation of Other Options

Option (b): Alluvial Soils and Red Soils

• Incorrect because:
• Alluvial soils are river-deposited, not cracking clays.
• Red soils are low in clay and lack shrink–swell behaviour.

Option (c): Laterite and Lateritic Soils

• Incorrect because:
• Laterite soils are acidic, porous, and low in bases.
• They do not show cracking or high clay content.

Option (d): Alluvial, Red and Lateritic Soils

• Incorrect because:
• None of these soils match the combined characteristics given.

Key Points:

• Black soils → Also called Regur soils
• Derived from basaltic rocks (Deccan Trap)
• High water-holding capacity
• Ideal for cotton cultivation
• Shrink–swell nature produces deep cracks