The reddish color of red soils develops due to:

Correct option is D

The soil develops a reddish color due to a wide diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
· The red soil is formed due to weathering of metamorphic and igneous rocks.
· It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form.
· Red soil covers about 3.5 lakh sq. km (10.6%) of the total geographical area of the country.
· Red soil is rich in potash content but lacks phosphate, humus, and nitrogen content.
· The red soil is found in regions such as Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, some parts of Karnataka and southeast Maharashtra.