INDIAN GEOGRAPHY

Detailed explanation-1: -Humus is the result of successive steps in the decomposition of organic matter. Because of the complex structure of humic substances, humus cannot be used by many micro-organisms as an energy source and remains in the soil for a relatively long time.

Detailed explanation-2: -The soils are formed due to mechanical weathering caused by snow, rain, temperature variation, etc. The soil is loamy and silty in valley sides and coarse-grained in the upper slopes. It is acidic with low humus content in the snow-covered areas. mountains soils are rich in humus, slightly acidic and are fertile.

Detailed explanation-3: -What causes organic matter decline? Soil organic carbon content is affected mostly by climate, texture, hydrology, land use and vegetation. Organic matter decays more rapidly at higher temperatures, so soils in warmer climates tend to contain less organic matter than those in cooler climates.

Detailed explanation-4: -Detailed Solution. Laterite soils are mostly the end products of weathering. It is poor in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphate. They are formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall with alternate wet and dry periods.