latosol
9.9
A reddish soil in tropical areas that has much iron and aluminum but few nutrients for plants
- noun
- /ˈleɪtəˌsɒl/
- Specialized
:
latosol
- Soils are clayey and sandy yellow latosols (see Lovejoy and Bierregaard 1990 for a more detailed description of the study area and ongoing research projects).
Examples
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Latosols, rich in iron and aluminum, are common in latosol forests and often support diverse ecosystems.
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Farmers in Brazil often struggle to grow crops in latosol due to its nutrient-poor nature.
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The tropical garden flourished thanks to the fertile latosol that retained moisture during dry spells.
How Fertile
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word latosol can be remembered by thinking of laterite, a red, brick-like soil named from the Latin root later meaning 'brick', so picture red, baked ground. That's why latosol refers to a reddish, iron- and aluminum-rich tropical soil that is often low in nutrients.