In India, the maximum area is covered by the _____________.

The correct answer is Alluvial soil.

Important Points

• Alluvial soil is mostly available soil in India that covers about 43 per cent of the total area of the country.
• It is widespread in northern plains and river valleys.
• In peninsular India, they are mostly found in deltas and estuaries.
• Humus, lime, and organic matters are present in this soil and highly fertile.
• It is found in Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra plain, Narmada-Tapi plain, etc are examples.
• They are depositional soil – transported and deposited by rivers, streams, etc.
• New alluvium is termed as Khadar and old alluvium is termed as Bhangar.
• Its color is Light Grey to Ash Grey.
• Its texture is Sandy to silty loam or clay.
• Wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane, pulses, oilseed, etc are cultivated mainly in this soil.

Additional Information

• Different types of Indian soil:
  • Alluvial soil [43%]
  • Red soil [18.5%]
  • Black / regur soil [15%]
  • Arid/desert soil
  • Laterite soil
  • Saline soil
  • Peaty/marshy soil
  • Forest soil
  • Sub-mountain soil
  • Snowfields