| Alluvial Soil | Laterite Soil |
|---|---|
| It is formed by the deposition of sediments by rivers. | It is formed due to leaching in areas of heavy rain. |
| Its colour varies from light grey to deep black. | It is red in colour. |
| It is a fertile soil as it is rich in minerals, especially iron, magnesia, alumina, potash and lime but poor in phosphorous, nitrogen and organic matter. | It is not fertile. It is rich in iron oxide and potash and poor in lime and magnesium and nitrogen. |
| It is coarse and dry in the upper reaches of the river and gets finer and moist as the river flows down. | It is of a coarse texture, soft and friable. |
| It is suitable for cultivation of rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, tobacco, gram and oilseeds. | It suits crops like tapioca, cashewnuts, tea, coffee, etc. |