Black Soils: Also known as Regur Soils, they are formed from erosion of volcanic rocks by lava flows. In India, it occurs in the Deccan Plateau, which includes parts of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Characteristics:

• These are clayey soils, and are generally very deep.

• They have the ability to SELF PLOUGH, that is, they are shrunk when dry, but swell up on absorbing water that makes them porous.

• They retain moisture for a very long time.

• They are rich in lime, iron, magnesia and alumina.

• They lack in phosphorus, nitrogen and organic matter.

• The colour ranges from deep black to grey.