Question map
The largest geographical area of India is covered by which one of the following types of soils?
Explanation
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Taxonomy adopted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Inceptisols cover the largest geographical area in India, accounting for approximately 39.74% of the total land area. These are followed by Entisols, which cover about 28.08%. Inceptisols are relatively young soils with minimal horizon development and are widely distributed across the Indo-Gangetic plains and various other regions. While traditional classifications often highlight Alluvial soils as the largest group (covering roughly 43-46% of the country), the taxonomic equivalent for the majority of these fertile deposits falls under the Inceptisols and Entisols orders [2]. Alfisols and Vertisols (black soils) follow in extent, covering approximately 13.55% and 8.52% respectively.
Sources
- [2] https://www.kharagpurcollege.ac.in/studyMaterial/52445Indian-Soil-Geography-semester-III-07-09-2020.pdf