“M” gave his friend clues about a type of soil that suits for growing cotton. Which of the following clues provided by "M" would be most useful in identifying the ideal type of soil?
Clues:
i. It is well-known for its capacity to hold moisture.
ii. It turns yellow when it is hydrated.
iii. It is rich in kankur and bhangar nodules.
iv. It is a well-drained loamy soil.
a. Clue i
b. Clue i and iii
c. Clue i and ii
d. Clue iv
Answer:
Answer by Student
The correct answer is (a) Clue i.
Detailed Explanation by Teachoo
Let’s check all the options:
-
Clue i: It is well-known for its capacity to hold moisture.
This clue helps to identify the ideal type of soil for growing cotton because cotton is a crop that requires moderate rainfall and irrigation. It grows well in soils that can retain water for a long time. Such soils are called black soils or regur soils. They are rich in clay and humus. They are found in the Deccan plateau region of India, where cotton cultivation is widespread. Thus, this clue is correct to identify the ideal type of soil for growing cotton.
This clue is
correct
.✅
-
Clue ii: It turns yellow when it is hydrated.
This clue does not help to identify the ideal type of soil for growing cotton, because it describes a property of some soils that change color when they are wet or dry. Such soils are called laterite soils. They are red in colour when dry and yellow when wet. They are poor in fertility and organic matter. They are found in the regions with high rainfall and high temperature, such as the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats. They are not suitable for growing cotton. Thus, this clue is incorrect to identify the ideal type of soil for growing cotton.
This clue is
incorrect
.❌
-
Clue iii: It is rich in kankur and bhangar nodules.
This clue does not help to identify the ideal type of soil for growing cotton, because it describes a feature of some soils that contain calcium carbonate concretions or nodules. Such soils are called alluvial soils. They are formed by the deposition of sediments by rivers. They are fertile and rich in minerals. They are found in the northern plains and coastal plains of India, where crops like wheat, rice, sugarcane and jute are grown. They are not suitable for growing cotton. Thus, this clue is incorrect to identify the ideal type of soil for growing cotton.
This clue is
incorrect
.❌
- Clue iv: It is a well-drained loamy soil. This clue does not help to identify the ideal type of soil for growing cotton, because it describes a property of some soils that have a balanced proportion of sand, silt and clay. Such soils are called loamy soils. They are well-drained and well-aerated. They are found in various regions of India, where crops like cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables are grown. They are not suitable for growing cotton. Thus, this clue is incorrect to identify the ideal type of soil for growing cotton. This clue is incorrect .❌
Thus, option (a) is correct because it includes the only clue that is correct to identify the ideal type of soil for growing cotton.
