Explanation

Laterite soil forms in hot, wet tropical regions with heavy rainfall. The constant rain washes away nutrients from the soil. This washing away of nutrients is called leaching, and it makes the soil poor for growing crops.

Heavy tropical rains remove minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium from laterite soil. What remains is mostly iron and aluminum compounds. These elements give laterite soil its reddish-brown color but do not help plants grow.

Black soils are rich in nutrients and hold water well for farming. Red and yellow soils can lose some nutrients but not as much as laterite. Farmers must add fertilizers to laterite soil to grow healthy crops.