Q. Consider the following statements:

1. It is rich in lime, iron, magnesia and alumina.
2. It lacks phosphorous, nitrogen and organic matter.
3. It retains the moisture for a very long time.

The above mentioned characteristics are present in:
Answer: Black Soil
Notes: The black soil retains the moisture for a very long time, which helps the crops, especially, the rainfed ones, to sustain even during the dry season. Chemically, the black soils are rich in lime, iron, magnesia and alumina. They also contain potash. But they lack in phosphorous, nitrogen and organic matter. The colour of the soil ranges from deep black to grey.