Which one of the following soil types of India is rendered infertile by the presence of excess iron ?

Lateritic soil is rendered infertile by the presence of excess iron. These soils display a reddish colour due to iron oxides and develop on plateau/highland areas; they are rich in iron and aluminium but deficient in nitrogen, potash, lime and organic matter, which makes them generally low in fertility [2]. Heavy leaching under high rainfall concentrates iron oxides and removes soluble bases, further reducing productivity, though local improvements (manuring) can sometimes help [2]. By contrast, alluvial soils contain adequate potash, phosphoric acid and lime and are highly fertile, so the infertility associated with excessive iron is characteristic of lateritic soils rather than alluvium [3].

Sources

1. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 6: Soils > 6. Laterite Soils > p. 12
2. [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 6: Soils > Table 6.1 > p. 8
3. [3] NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 1: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe > Fig. 1.6: Alluvial Soil > p. 9