Question 2: Humus content in the soil increases.

Step-by-step solution provided.

Question 4: The salinity of the soil increases.

Step-by-step solution provided.

Question 5: Rice is the staple diet of the people from Konkan.

Step-by-step solution provided.

Maharashtra State Board Class 7 Geography Solutions Chapter 7 Soils - Digest Answers | Maharashtra Board Solutions

Maharashtra State Board Class 7 Geography Solutions Chapter 7 Soils

Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 Soils Textbook Questions and Answers

1. Complete the following table.

Factor/Process	Role in the formation of soil
(1) Parent rock	…………….
(2) Regional climate	……………
(3) Organic material	…………..
(4) Microorganisms	……………..

Answer:

Factor/Process	Role in the formation of soil
(1) Parent rock	The rock gets weathered depending on the hardness of the rock and the climate of the region. It turns into powdery material which further turns into soil.
(2) Regional climate	When the rock is exposed to a different climates, the same type of rock gives rise to different types of soil.
(3) Organic material	The organic material gets mixed into weathered powdery material and turn it into soil.
(4) Microorganisms	Microorganisms help in decomposing the dead remains of organic materials and get mixed into the soil to form humus.

2. Why do the following occur?

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

To the west of Sahyadris, laterite soils are formed from the basalt rock.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Humus content in the soil increases.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

Soil formation process is faster in the equatorial climate.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution

The salinity of the soil increases.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Question 5 Maharashtra Board Solution

Rice is the staple diet of the people from Konkan.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

3. Give information on:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Measures of soil conservation

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

The following are the measures of soil conservation:

(i) Afforestation / Planting trees: Planting trees can control the velocity of wind. This helps reducing erosion by wind. The plant roots hold the soil and also reduces the erosion of soil.

(ii) Continuous contour trenches: Construction of continuous contour trenches at different height checks the velocity of water running along the slopes & hence reduces soil erosion. The water arrested in these trenches percolates into the ground.

(iii) Implementation of watershed Development program: The Government of Maharashtra has implemented the watershed development programme under which constructing embankment along slopes in rural areas, introducing CCTs along steep slopes etc. are undertaken. This led to the success of the scheme ‘Arrest water, let it percolate’. This has resulted in raising the ground water levels & reducing the erosion of soil.

(iv) Implementation of Jalayukt Shivar: Under the scheme of Jalayukt Shivar, works like construction of farm bunds, arresting waters of small streams, connecting the streams etc. are being carried out on a large scale.

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Organic Manures.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) Organic manures in farming, helps to maintain the pH balance. (ii) It also increases the proportion of humus, and retain the fertility of soil.

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

Place where you will get the information about the suitability of a soil for a particular crop.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) The information about the suitability of a soil can be obtained from Department of Agriculture of Government of Maharashtra, Natural Resource conservation services, soil testing laboratories in various states and at many agricultural universities.

(ii) The type of soil, soil fertility, pH status of the soil, etc. are determined in soil testing.

(iii) Based on the testing, an analysis of the soil is done & information about the suitability of a soil for a particular crop is provided.

Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution

Importance of soils for plant growth.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) Soil is important for plant as it hold roots that provide support for plants and stores nutrient for the growth of plants. (ii) Fertile soils favour plant growth.

4. Complete the following table with reference to soil.

Action	Effect	Result (W.R.T. fertility)
Construction of embankments.
	Wind speed decreased.
Farm land is kept fallow for some period.	Helps to maintain the pH balance and increase the proportion of humus.	Increases the fertility of soil.
Regular use of organic manures, vermicompost and compost.
	Check the velocity of water running along the slopes.
Litter is burnt in the farm.
Decomposed vegetal litters, roots of plants and remains of animals.
	Salt content in the soil increases.
	Leads to the lowering of humus content in the soil.

Answer:

Action	Effect	Result (W.R.T. fertility)
Construction of embankments.	Protects soil from being washed away.	Protects fertility of soil.
Planting trees.	Wind speed decreased.	Protects fertility of soil
Farm land is kept fallow for some period.	Helps to maintain the pH balance and increase the proportion of humus.	Increases the fertility of soil.
Regular use of organic manures, vermicompost^[1]and compost.	Humus content increased.	Increases the fertility of soil.
Trenches are dug across a slope.	Check the velocity of water running along the slopes.	Protects fertility of soil
Litter is burnt in the farm.	Decreases the amount of organic material in soil.	Decreases the fertility of soil.
Decomposed vegetal litters, roots of plants and remains of animals.	Proves favourable for micro organism.	Increases the fertility of soil.
Excessive Irrigation	Salt content in the soil increases.	Decreases the fertility of soil
Chemical fertilizers used excessively.	Leads to the lowering of humus content in the soil.	Decreases the fertility of soil

Activity:

Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 Soils InText Questions and Answers

Think about it:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Rohit and Prateeksha noted that their field had yielded a bumper crop. But they also noted that a part of their field had a stunted growth of plants. What investigation will you suggest to them?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

I would suggest that they should check whether organic manures, are used evenly on all the parts of the field. Also, they should check whether that part of the field is getting adequate supply of water or not.

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Why do equatorial regions have fertile soils?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

The sun rays are perpendicular in equatorial regions so the climate is very hot and humid. This region also receives very heavy rainfall. As the process of soil formation is faster in these regions, equatorial regions have fertile soil. Also vegetal litter roots of plants, remains of animals, etc.; get decomposed adding to soil fertility.

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

Why is the vegetation sparse in deserts?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

A desert is a barren area of land where a little precipitation occurs and consequently living conditions for plant and animal life are very hostile. It is an area where the soils are not fertile & hence vegetation is scanty.

Try this:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

What happened to the seeds put in the empty pot and pot filled with water?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Seeds in the empty pot and the pot filled with water did not germinate and did not show any sign of growth.

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

What happened to the seeds put in the pot (c) filled with soil?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Seeds germinated and we could see some small twigs branching out.

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

What do you learn from this?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

We learn that plants need sunlight, water and soil to grow.

Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 SoilsAdditional Important Questions and Answers

Fill in the blanks:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

_____ rock in a region is an important factor in soil. (Parent, Basalt, Granite)

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Parent

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

The process of weathering depends on the _____ of the region. (climate, weather, soil)

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

climate

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

The _____ rock of the Deccan Plateau in Maharashtra turns into black soil after weathering. (granite, basalt, parent)

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

basalt

Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution

______ soils along the river beds give higher yields. (Infertile, Fertile, Coarse)

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Fertile

Question 5 Maharashtra Board Solution

The _____ material comes from the decomposition of the remains of the plants and animals in that region. (biotic1, abiotic, pH)

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

biotic1

Question 6 Maharashtra Board Solution

______ is a complete ecosystem.(Soil, Humus, weathered rocks)

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Soil

Question 7 Maharashtra Board Solution

Food crops like jowar and bajra are produced in the _____ soils of Maharashtra Plateau. (regur, coarse, laterite)

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

regur

Question 8 Maharashtra Board Solution

The local agriculture produce determines the _______ diet of the people. (staple, supplementary, secondary)

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

staple

Question 9 Maharashtra Board Solution

The proportion of humus is negligible in _____ soil. (coarse, black, laterite)

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

coarse

Question 10 Maharashtra Board Solution

Planting trees can also control the _____ of the wind. (velocity, direction, temperature)

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

velocity

Question 11 Maharashtra Board Solution

Rocks like granite or gneiss in South India give rise to ____ soil. (black, red, regur)

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

red

Question 12 Maharashtra Board Solution

In the humid climate of western Sahyadris the leaching of basalt rocks leads to formation of ___ soil. (black, lateritic, red)

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

lateritic

Question 13 Maharashtra Board Solution

The excessive spraying of chemicals and use of chemical fertilizers lead to ______; (soil degradation soil fertility, soil powder)

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

soil degradation

Complete the following sentences:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

The biotic material comes from _____.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

the decomposition of the remains of the plants and animals in that region

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Microorganisms ajnd certain other organisms help decompose the dead remains of ______.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

organic materials

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

Production of compost needs sufficient period of time and ______.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

elements like organic waste, water, heat, etc.

Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution

In the region of high rainfall and higher temperatures, _____.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

the process of soil formation is faster

Question 5 Maharashtra Board Solution

In regions of low temperatures and low rainfall the _____.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

soil formation takes more time

Question 6 Maharashtra Board Solution

High use of chemical fertilizers, insecticides _____.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

leads to the degradation of soils

Question 7 Maharashtra Board Solution

In the areas where the soil is not fertile, _______.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

egetation is scanty

Question 8 Maharashtra Board Solution

When man realized that sowing of seeds in the soil leads to the growth of plants and yields crops, ______.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

he started using soil as a resource

Question 9 Maharashtra Board Solution

Excessive irrigation draws the salts from the soil upwards and ______.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

makes the soil saline and then unproductive

Question 10 Maharashtra Board Solution

Keeping the farmland fallow for some period and cultivating different crops alternatively is important ________.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

to help retain the fertility of soils.

Give one word for the following:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Soil formed due to weathering of basalt rock.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Black soil

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Soil formed due to the leaching of the basalt rock.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Lateritic soil

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

Biotic material mixed into the soils.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Humus

Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution

The excessive spraying of chemicals and use of chemical fertilizers.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Soil degradation

Question 5 Maharashtra Board Solution

The govt, scheme, work like construction of farm bunds, arresting waters of small streams, etc.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Jalayukt Shivar.

Who am I?

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

I am a very important rock factor in soil formation.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Parent rock

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

I form due to weathering of basalt rock. Jowar and Bajra mostly grow on this soil.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Regur soil / Black soil

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

I am found in the hilltops of the western part of the Deccan plateau.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Coarse soil

Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution

I am black in colour and have less organic components.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Regur or Black soil

Question 5 Maharashtra Board Solution

I am orange in colour and mostly found in the coastal belt of Konkan. Laterite soil

Question 6 Maharashtra Board Solution

I am found at the mouth of the river in the western coastal strip.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

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Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Alluvial soil of the coastal strip

Question 7 Maharashtra Board Solution

I am mainly found in areas of extreme rainfall but not very useful for agriculture.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Yellow brown soil

Question 8 Maharashtra Board Solution

I am a method of soil conservation which controls the velocity of wind.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Afforestation / planting trees

Match the columns:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Column I	Column II
(1) Coarse soil	(a) Alluvium deposition
(2) Regur soil	(b) Eastern part of Bhandara
(3) Laterite soil	(c) Ajanta, Balaghat, Mahaden hills
(4) Alluvial soil	(d) Coastal belt of konkan
(5) Yellow-brown soil	(e) Weathering of basalt rock

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

1 – c
2 – e
3 – d
4 – a
5 – b

Answer the following questions in short:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

What do you mean by ‘Soil’?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) The uppermost layer of the earth’s crust is called ‘Soil’. (ii) It contains the organic as well as mineral matter necessary for the growth of plants.

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

What are the factors necessary for the soil formation?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Soil is formed by:

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

What is leaching ?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) Leaching is a process is which the salts & other soluble material are washed out of the rock through percolation of water. (ii) This process is dominant in the areas of high rainfall & humid climate.

Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution

What is Humus?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) The decaying of organic material such as dead leaves, stems, root of the plant, vegetal litters, decomposed remains of animals get mixed into the soil. (ii) This results in the formation of “Humus” thus retaining the fertility of soil. (iii) If the proportion of humus in the soil is greater, the soil becomes fertile.

Question 5 Maharashtra Board Solution

What leads to the degradation of soils?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) For getting higher production, different types of chemical fertilizers, insecticides are used profusely. (ii) This leads to the degradation of soils.

Question 6 Maharashtra Board Solution

What led to record agricultural production? Ans, (i) To get richer harvests man made efforts to increase the fertility of soils. (ii) In the process, use of different fertilizers became a practice which led to record agricultural production.

Question 7 Maharashtra Board Solution

What is soil erosion?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

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Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) When a layer of soil (top layer of soil) get removed due to wind or water it is called soil erosion. (ii) Running water, climate and diversity in physiography are the reasons of soil erosion.

Question 8 Maharashtra Board Solution

What helps to maintain the pH balance of the soil?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) Organic manures, vermicompost, compost are used regularly. (ii) It helps in maintaining the pH balance and retaining the fertility of the soil.

Why do the following occur:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Rice is the staple diet of the people from Konkan.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) Hot & humid climate, heavy rainfall & fertile alluvial soil are favourable for rice cultivation. (ii) This soil has good water holding capacity. Since these conditions are found in the konkan region, rice is grown on a large scale here. (iii) So rice is the staple diet of the people from Konkan.

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Soil Erosion. (i) A layer of soil gets removed due to wind or water. (ii) Running water, climate and diversity in physiography are the reasons of soil erosion.

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

Soil degradation.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

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Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) To obtain a higher agricultural yield, chemical fertilizers, insecticides, weedicides, etc. are used. (ii) The excessive spraying of chemicals and use of chemical fertilizers leads to soil degradation.

Give geographical reasons:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Planting trees is necessary to conserve the soil.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) A layer of soil gets removed due to wind or water which leads to soil erosion. (ii) Planting trees controls the velocity of the wind, thus reducing the erosion of soil by wind. (iii) The roots of the plants hold the soil which also prevents soil erosion.

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Continuous contour trenches are constructed along the slopes.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) Construction of continuous contour trenches (CCTs) at different heights checks the velocity of water running along the slopes. (ii) This reduces soil erosion.

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

It is advisable to use organic manures, vermicompost and compost regularly.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) Use of organic manures, vermicompost, compost helps maintain the pH balance. (ii) It also increases the proportion of humus thus retaining the fertility of soil. (iii) Hence, it is advisable to use organic manures, vermicompost & compost regularly.

Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution

There emerged competition among the people to discover fertile lands and settle there.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) Man started producing greater amount of food crops for the growing population. (ii) He realized that crop production and prosperity in agriculture depends on the fertility of soil and the optimum availability of water. Hence, there emerged competition among the people to discover fertile lands & settle there.

Question 5 Maharashtra Board Solution

There was a rise of Indus civilization.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) When man realized that the fertile soils along the river beds give higher yields. (ii) He settled in the valleys and started living there in groups. (iii) This led to the rise of Indus civilization.

Question 6 Maharashtra Board Solution

Countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, etc., fulfil their requirements by importing food from other countries.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(i) In countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman etc. the soils are not arable so there is need to fulfil their food requirement. (ii) Hence, countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman import food from other countries.

Question 7 Maharashtra Board Solution

Lets find the names of the soils we have learnt and which regions they are found?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Soils	Answers	Regions
(1) RUGER	Regur	(a) Western part of Deccan Plateau and eastern part of Vidarbha.
(2) LUILALVA	Alluvial	(b) Panvel, Uran Coast, Dharamtar creek.
(3) OARCSE	Coarse	(c) Ajanta, Balaghat and Mahadeo hills.
(4) AEILTRITE	Laterite	(d) Coastal belt of Konkan, West of Sahyadris and East of Vidarbha.

Make Friends with maps!
Observe the map given below and answer the following questions:

Question 1.
Which soil occupies most of the areas in Maharashtra?
Answer:
Black (Regur) soil occupies most of the areas in Maharashtra.