Variability of Lateritic Soil Development in Humid Tropical Environment

West coast of peninsular India experience humid tropical climate: high rainfall and high temperature. Laterization –removal of bases and silica and residual enrichment of oxides of iron and aluminium-is the main soil forming process under the highly leaching environment. Though the overall climate is humid tropical, the pattern of annual rainfall distribution in the region results in subtle variations in the length of dry period and consequently duration of soil moisture deficit. This paper describes the variability in the properties of lateritic soils conse quent to changes in period of soil dryness.