Question

Which one of the following statements is correct for Mollisol?

• A. It is the fertile soil found in low precipitation areas.
• B. It is the infertile soil found in high precipitation areas.
• C. It is the fertile soil found in high precipitation areas.
• D. It is the infertile soil found in low precipitation areas

Hint:

Think of the world's great breadbaskets: the North American prairies, the Argentinian pampas, the Russian steppes. These are all grasslands with Mollisol soils, known for their incredible fertility and moderate-to-low rainfall.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Mollisol is one of the twelve soil orders in the USDA soil taxonomy system. The question asks for its key characteristics regarding fertility and the climate where it is found.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Fertility: Mollisols are among the most fertile soils in the world. Their name comes from the Latin 'mollis', meaning soft, referring to their soft, dark, humus-rich surface layer (the mollic epipedon). This high organic matter content makes them extremely productive for agriculture.
- Climate: These soils typically form under grassland vegetation in temperate, semi-arid to sub-humid climates. These are areas with moderate to low precipitation, not high enough to support forests but sufficient for dense grass cover. The low precipitation prevents excessive leaching of nutrients from the soil profile, contributing to their fertility.
- Therefore, Mollisols are fertile soils found in relatively low precipitation areas.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Comparing this with the options, statement (A) correctly identifies Mollisol as fertile soil found in low precipitation areas.