Solutions -Class-7-Geography-Chapter-7-Soil-Maharashtra Board

• It rains heavily to the west of Sahyadris (i.e. in Konkan region).
• The climate to the west of Sahyadris is humid.
• Heavy rainfall and humidity leads to leaching of besalt rock on a large scale.
• This process gives rise to laterite soils. Thus, to the west of Sahyadris, laterite soils are formed from besalt rock.

• The regular use of organic manures, vermicompost, compost helps in maintaining the pH balance in the soil.
• A large number of microorganisms exist in the soil with high pH.
• Microorganisms decompose the dead remains of the plants and animals and other organic materials. The biotic material thus produced is call humus.
• Thus, by regular use of organic manures, humus content in the soil increases.

• High temperatures and high rainfall are the main features of equatorial climate.
• The temperature of Equatorial region is around 27 °C to 30 °C throughout the year
• The mean annual rainfall in Equatorial region is around 2500 mm to 3000 mm. It rains throughout the year in this region.
• In the region of high temperatures and high rainfall, the process of soil formation is faster.
• Thus, due to high temperatures and high rainfall, soil formation process is faster in the equatorial climate.

• Irrigation facilities are utilized for producing greater amount of crops.
• But, excessive irrigation draws the slats from the soil upwards and makes the soil saline and then unproductive.
• Thus, due to excessive irrigation, the salinity of the soil increases.

• Hot and humid climate, high rainfall and alluvial soil from Konkan are favourable for the cultivation of rice. Therefore, rice is grown on a large scale in Konkan.
• The local agricultural produce determines the staple diet of the people. Therefore, rice is the staple diet of the people from Konkan.

• A top layer of soil gets removed due to heavy rains or running water of rivers.
• The soil gets eroded due to high velocity of winds and steep slopes.
• Thus, soil erosion occurs due to running water, winds and slopes.

• To obtain higher agricultural yield, chemical fertilizers, insecticides, weedicides and irrigation technique is used.
• However, the excessive spraying of chemicals fertilizers leads to soil degradation. In such condition, the proportion of humus in soil decreases and the pH value of soil gets disturbed.
• Excessive irrigation draws the salt from the soil upwards and makes the soil saline and then unproductive.
• Thus, soil erosion occurs due to chemicals, chemical fertilizers and excessive irrigation.

Measures of soil conservation are as follows :

• Tree planting: One of the most significant soil conservation measures is tree planting. Wind velocity can be controlled by planting trees. This helps to reduce wind erosion of soil. Plant roots help to keep the soil hard, which reduces soil erosion.
• Constructing Continuous Counter Trenches (CCTs) : Construction of Continuous Counter Trenches (CCTs) along slopes conserves soil. Construction of CCTs at various heights slows the rate of water moving down slopes, reducing soil erosion. The water trapped in CCTs seeps into the earth. This contributes to increased ground water levels.
• Watershed Development Program : The Maharashtra government has executed the Watershed (Catchment Area) Development Programme, which includes actions like as creating embankments along slopes in rural regions, installing CCTs along steep slopes, and so on. This contributed to the success of the 'Arrest water, let it percolate' strategy. This has resulted in higher groundwater levels and less land erosion.
• Jalayukt Shivar : The Maharashtra government has announced the 'Jalayukt Shivar' initiative. Construction of agricultural bunds, arresting flows of tiny streams, joining streams, and other large-scale projects are being carried out under this plan.

• Vermicompost, compost, etc. are the organic manures.
• A large number of earthworms, ants and many other microorganisms are found if organic measures are used for farming.
• These microorganisms help the decomposition of the dead remains of the plants and animals. This increases the proportion of humus in the soil and the soil becomes fertile.
• Thus, for conserving soil, the use of organic manures is highly essential.

• The information about the suitability of a soil for a particular crop can be obtained from the Department of Agriculture — Government of Maharashtra, soil testing laboratories at state level and agricultural universities.
• The type of soil, the fertility of soil, the proportion of humus in soil, etc. are tested in soil testing laboratories at state levels.
• On the basis of the analysis of the soil, the information about its suitability for a particular crop is given to the farmers.

• Plants is an important component of the living things on the earth.
• For the production and growth of plants, soil is indispensable.
• Though favorable climate availability of abundant water and sunlight are necessary for the growth of a plant, these; alone are not sufficient. Fertile soils equally favour plant growth.

The importance of soils for plant growth can be explained with the help of the following points :

• Fertile soil and vegetation : Fertile soil provides a great amount of micronutrients to the crops. Therefore, vegetation is abundant in the regions that have fertile soils. For example, vegetation in Equatorial region.
• Infertile soil and vegetation : Less amount of micronutrients are present in infertile soil. Therefore, vegetation is scanty in infertile soil. For example, vegetation in Hot Desert region.
• Shortage of soil and vegetation : Where there is a shortage of a soil, vegetation is not seen. For example, Absence of vegetation in the polar areas.