Leaching is the maximum in the soil type of

Leaching is the process where nutrients and minerals percolate downward through the soil due to heavy rainfall, often leaving the topsoil infertile. Laterite soil is characterized by the maximum degree of leaching among the major soil types in India [1][t1]. It develops in tropical and subtropical regions with high temperatures and heavy rainfall, featuring alternate wet and dry seasons [c1][t3]. This intense leaching, also known as desilication, washes away silica and bases like lime and potash, leaving behind a soil rich in iron and aluminum oxides [t1][t4]. While red soils also experience leaching, it is described as a 'menace' rather than the primary formative process as seen in laterites [c2]. In contrast, Regur (black) soils have high water retention and are rich in minerals, while desert soils are found in arid regions where leaching is minimal due to low precipitation [c4][t9].

Sources

1. [1] NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 1: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe > Laterite Soil > p. 11