Date: 17-09-2022

Subject- AP GEOGRAPHY
Syllabus- Major landforms, Climatic changes, Soil types, Rivers, Water,
Streams, Geology, Rocks, Mineral Resources in AP
Number of questions- Mains: 02, Prelims – 10
Mains Questions of the day:
1. What are the major soil types available in AP? Discuss in detail.
Introduction:
The upper surface of the Earth covered by small particles of inorganic minerals
and organic matter supporting flora and fauna is called as "Soil”.
The land surface of Andhra Pradesh belongs to the primordial earth formation
with Gneiss or Granutoid Gneiss rock formations. Various rock forms like
Kadapa, Kurnool, Krishna-Godavari deltas and in the east coast are derivatives
of the above source or parent rock formation.

Body:
Describe in detail about Various types of soils in AP.
Conclusion:
The Andhra Pradesh state is bestowed with multiple types of soils, which
enables conducive environment for production of various crops through out the
year.
Content:

In Andhra Pradesh both the insitu and transported soils are present.
Red soils:

1. Red soils are spread in a substantially large geographical area in the state.
They are of less density and lightweight with good water holding
capacity. These soils lack organic matter, soil flora and liquid plant
nutrients.
2. Most of the regions in Rayalaseema and also in Srikakulam,
Visakhapatnam, East Godavari and West Godavari districts these soils are
 present adjacent to alluvial soils. They are also spread across Nuziveedu
of Krishna, Vinukonda, Palnadu and some other mandals of Guntur.
3. In the absence of irrigation facilities and rainfall in time on these soils,
farmers will lose their crops. For this reason, black soil and other
fertilizers need to be added at regular intervals.
4. ln these soils, pulses like red gram, green gram, horse gram, etc, oil seeds
like ground nut and castor are grown. Under assured irrigation
horticulture is favoured.

Black soils:
1. Black soils are derived from basic lava flows, sill bodies, etc. At some
places they will be deep and at times shallow. Black soils with gypsum
are found in some regions.
2. The black soils have some physical properties and chemical
characteristics. Ploughing is very difficult in these soils. In these soils 65-
80% of clay and regur are basic in nature. Up to 7% of limestone is
present in these soils.
3. They absorb water readily and water holding capacity is very high. water
is not either infiltrated or percolated down. But due to poor interstitial
pore spaces and glued in presence of water, roots cannot penetrate deep
into the soil and reflects on crop Such soils the soils develop the cracks
with the evaporation of soil moisture, the deep cracks allow air deep
inside in comparison to other soils. Therefore, black soils are commonly
called as "self-ploughing soils".
4. These soils are found across the state, mainly in the districts of Kurnool,
Kadapa, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur. Black soils are best suited
for cotton crop. Tobacco, Bajra, Turmeric, Onion and Chilies are the
other preferable crops in these soils.

Alluvial soil:
1. A loose, unconsolidated, soil or sediments, which has been eroded,
reshaped by water in some form, and deposited in stack of layers in delta
parts by the rivers in mature stage is called "Alluvial soil".
2. These soils are present in Krishna, Godavari deltas brought from various
pans of their catchment up stream. Alluvial soils in Krishna delta are
more of sand, regur and loamy soils. The regur in this zone consists of
 sand collected from red soils and ooze to give rise to delta form to the
alluvial soils.
3. On the other hand, alluvium in river Godavari is derived from the fertile
tracts of upstream are smooth in texture and fertile. In the Godavari delta,
alluvial soils are very fertile and yield good crop forming green granary
of the state.

Coastal sandy soils

1. Coastal sandy soils are formed from more of sand and less of alluvium.
These soils spread 3-12 km from the coast line. Since these soils are
saline under the influence of oceans, they are not fertile. Since the coastal
sandy soils are rich in sand and poor in alluvium, these soils are not
useful for either commercial or subsistence agriculture.
2. Where ever there are irrigation facilities available, there cultivation of
rice, tobacco and vegetables are taken up with the application of organic
fertilizers.
Laterite soils :
1. Laterite soils are formed in hot, humid and high rainfall regions. These
soils are light in colour from whitish to red. There are two types of
Laterite soils. One type is associated with the steep slopes of hilly terrains
like in Puttur and Satyavedu mandals of Chittoor.
2. Another variety is available near the shores but in low lying areas such as
Ellavaram and Peddapurammandals in East Godavari. They possess high
nitrogen, ferrous and aluminum oxides contents but low alkalinity with
phosphorous pentoxide and potash.
3. Mango, cashew nut and tamarind grow in lush green and yield good crop.
And also, turmeric potato, etc grow well in these soils. But geographical
spread of these soils in Andhra Pradesh is very limited
2. Discuss in detail about various types of rocks found in Andhra

Pradesh.

Introduction:
Deccan Plateau with a height of 500-600 meters in peninsular India constitutes
the oldest rock types, a part which is also present in Andhra Pradesh.

Body:

Describe in detail about the rock types available in AP.

Conclusion:

The huge mineral reserves of Andhra Pradesh is result of rich sources of rock
types, which should be explored sustainably without compromising the resource
availability of future generations

Content:
Some of the important rock types derived from the Deccan and others found in
Andhra Pradesh are

1. Dharwar Rocks
Dharwars are the oldest rock types in India identified for the first time in
Dharwar region of Karnataka. These are formed 2.3 billion years ago. by the
eruption of Lava from the Earth's interior. In Andhra Pradesh, these types of
rocks are found in the districts of Chittoor and Nellore. They are economically
important and host Gold and Ferrous deposits in plenty near Kuppam.
2. Kadapa Rocks
After the formation of Dharwars the Earth 's interior remain unchanged for long
and intermittent inactive period in plate tectonics. Later due to exogenetic
geomorphic processes, erosion of highlands and simultaneous deposition of
sediments happened to give rise to sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. They
are of several meters thick and 500 million years old called as Kadapa rocks.
The cement grade Limestone and Barytes are important minerals in plenty in
addition to others viz, Iron, clay, etc. are found in the districts of Y.S.R.Kadapa,
Kumool and Anantapur.
3. Krurnool rocks are similar to Kadapa rocks and found in Kurnool district.
These rocks host Asbestos, Barytes, Steatite, etc

4. Gondwana Rocks
According to the geologists, after volcanic activity for a brief period of 300
million years it is dominated by tectonic activity with several earth quakes
creating huge rifts creating river valleys to Godavari, Krishna and Damodar.
Under the alternate tectonic and climatic changes, the rich flora, fauna and
alluvium got fossilized underneath creating coal seams. These Gondwanas are
usually composed of Red Sand tones and Coal Deposits.

5. Deccan Traps:
The intermittent magmatic flows erupting from the cracks of Indian Peninsula
solidified in layers for 1500-1800 meters thickness and spreading for vast
distances trapping organic forms are called Deccan Traps. These are basalt type
of igneous rocks, generally black in colour giving rise to Black Cotton Soils,
which are found in the East & West Godavari, Guntur and Prakasam districts of
Andhra Pradesh.
6. Rajamundry Rocks
After a brief period of 30 million years, after the formation of Deccan Traps, the
eastern coast was flooded by the sea depositing Sands, Limestone and Clay. The
Sandstone Deposits are found in Tadepalligudem, Nuziveedu, Tuni,
Rajamundry, Sangam and Kavali parts of Andhra Pradesh. It is estimated and
found that these rocks host huge deposits of Petroleum and Natural Gas in
Godavari and Krishna Basins.
Prelims Questions of the day

1. Which type of soils occupy the lion’s share in Andhra Pradesh?

a) Black soils
b) Laterite soils
c) Alluvial soils
d) Red soils

Answer: d

Explanation:
Red soils, occupying about 66 percent of the State’s land area

2. Currently, which is the largest district in Andhra Pradesh based on

area?

a) Ananthapuram
b) Kurnool
c) Prakasam
d) Gunturu

Answer: C

Explanation:
After the reorganization of districts, in terms of geographical area, Prakasam is
the largest district as it’s spread on 14,322 sq km
3. Currently, which district in AP has the lowest population based on 2011
Census?
a) Alluri Sitaramaraju district
b) Vijayanagaram
c) Vishakapatnam
d) Manyam Parvathipuram
Answer: d

Explanation:
Parvathipuram Manyam district becomes the smallest district and its population
is just 9.253 lakhs.
4. As per Water resource department of AP, major irrigation project will
have a minimum Ayacut of?

a) 5000 acres
b) 25000 acres
c) 10000 acres
d) 15000 acres

Answer: b

Explanation:

The irrigation projects are classified based on the irrigated ayacut

under the projects.
Major Irrigation Projects : Ayacut above 25000 Ac (10,000 ha.)
Medium Irrigation Ayacut above 5000 Ac up to 25000
:
Projects Acres(10000ha.)
Minor Irrigation Projects : Ayacut up to 5000 Acres (2000 ha)

5. Which among the following are the land locked districts in Andhra
Pradesh?
1. YSR Kadapa
2. East Godavari
3. Gunturu
Choose the correct code given below

a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 3 and 1 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d
Explanation:

6. Godavari River enters into Andhra Pradesh through which of the

following district?

a) Eluru
b) East Godavari
c) NTR district
d) Konaseema

Answer: a

Explanation:
7. Arrange the following in ascending order based on their area in Andhra
Pradehs?
1. Laterite soils
2. Black soils
3. Alluvial soils
4. Red soils

Choose the correct option given below

a) 4-2-3-1
b) 4-3-2-1
c) 2-4-3-1
d) 2-4-1-3

Answer: a

Explanation:
Red soils make up approximately 66% of the cultivated regions across the
state. Another 25% of cultivated areas within Andhra Pradesh consist of
black soils. The deltaic alluvial soils and coastal alluvial soils make up
approximately 5% of soil in the state. Approximately 1% of the state contains
lateritic soils.

8. Which among the following districts have coastline in Andhra Pradesh?

1. West Godavari
2. Tirupati
3. Anakapalli
Choose the correct code given below

a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 3 and 1 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d

Explanation:

9.What is the total length of of Krishna River flows through A.P state.?

a) 385 KM
b) 485 km
 c) 250 Km
d) 350 KM

Answer: b

Explanation:

he River Krishna then forms border between the states of Telangana and Andhra
Pradesh from Srisailam to Pulichintala for about 290 kms flows passing through
NSP Dam. The river then flows for a length of 105 kms through Prakasam
barrage at Vijayawada and joins Bay of Bengal after traversing about 90 kms.
Thus the total length of 485 km of Krishna River flows through A.P state.

10. Which of the following soil is also known as self-ploughing soil?

a) Laterite soils
b) Black soils
c) Alluvial soils
d) Red soils
Answer: b
Explanation:

Black soil is known for its self ploughing nature because it is a clayey soil and
has much moisture in it. It also develops cracks during summers which exposes
it to sunlight and water from rains. Thus it becomes easy to plough it.