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What is Laterite Soil? 

Asked in Geography at 12:29 AM on November 11, 2008

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Parth Punit
Parth Punit

Laterite (from the Latin word "later" meaning brick or tile) is a surface formation in hot and wet tropical areas which is enriched in iron and aluminium and develops by intensive and long lasting weathering of the underlying parent rock. Nearly all kinds of rocks can be deeply decomposed by the action of high rainfall and elevated temperatures. The percolating rain water causes dissolution of primary rock minerals and decrease of easily soluble elements as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and silicon. This gives rise to a residual concentration of more insoluble elements predominantly iron and aluminium. Laterites consist mainly of the minerals kaolinite, goethite, hematite and gibbsite which form in the course of weathering. Moreover, many laterites contain quartz as relatively stable relic mineral from the parent rock. The iron oxides goethite and hematite cause the red-brown color of laterites.

Laterite covers have mostly a thickness of a few meters but occasionally they can be much thicker. Their formation is favoured by a slight relief which prevents erosion of the surface cover. Laterites occurring in non-tropical areas are products of former geological epochs. Lateritic soils form the uppermost part of the laterite cover; in soil science specific names (oxisol, latosol, ferallitic soil) are given for them.

Answered by Amar Jha at 5:01 PM on November 11, 2008

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Amar Jha
Amar Jha

Laterite has been derived from the Latin word ‘later’ which means brick. The laterite soil develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall. This is the result of intense leaching due to heavy rain. Humus content of the soil is low because most of the micro organisms, particularly the decomposers, like bacteria, get destroyed due to high temperature. Laterite soils are suitable for cultivation with adequate doses of manures and fertilizers. These soils are mainly found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and the hilly areas of Orissa and Assam. After adopting appropriate soil conservation techniques particularly in the hilly areas of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, this soil is very useful for growing tea and coffee. Red laterite soils in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala are more suitable for crops like cashew nut.

Answered by Sohil Mohil at 12:35 AM on November 11, 2008

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Sohil Mohil
Sohil Mohil

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What are the advantages and the disadvantages of laterite soil?

Hi,Laterite soil is rich in aluminium and iron, formed in wet and hot tropical areas. Almost all laterite soils are red due to the presence of iron oxides. It is prepared by the prolonged, thickness and ore mineralogy of the ensuing soils. Laterite soils are pregnant with aluminium and iron oxides, but are deficient in potash, phosphoric acid, lime and nitrogen. For more details, please refer

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