Laterization is a soil-forming process prominent in

Laterization is a soil-forming process that is prominent in hot, humid tropics. It occurs in areas with high temperatures and heavy rainfall, where the soils are subjected to intense chemical weathering. Laterization results in the formation of a distinct red-colored soil layer, rich in iron and aluminum oxides. This layer is commonly referred to as the laterite layer, and it is highly leached and infertile due to the loss of nutrients. The process of laterization is driven by the intense rainfall, which leaches the nutrients from the topsoil and transports them downward into the lower layers of the soil. As a result, the laterite layer becomes enriched with iron and aluminum oxides, while the topsoil becomes depleted and infertile. This process of soil formation is important in the tropics because it creates soils that are well-drained, and have good water-holding capacity. However, the infertile nature of these soils presents a challenge to agriculture, and requires careful management and fertilization to support crops.