Best crops to grow in laterite soil

Laterite soil, while challenging due to its high acidity and low nutrient content, is well-suited for a variety of hardy, deep-rooted, and acid-tolerant crops. Its excellent drainage prevents waterlogging, which many of these plants prefer.

The best crops to grow in laterite soil are:

• Plantation Crops: These are the most commercially successful crops for lateritic regions.
  • Cashew Nut (Anacardium occidentale): This is the quintessential laterite soil crop. It is highly drought-tolerant and thrives in the well-drained, acidic conditions.
  • Tea (Camellia sinensis): Tea plantations flourish on the slopes of lateritic hills, which provide the acidic pH and excellent drainage that tea bushes require.
  • Coffee (Coffea sp.): Both Arabica and Robusta coffee varieties perform well in laterite soils, especially when supplemented with organic matter.
  • Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis): Rubber trees are well-adapted to the conditions found in lateritic regions of South India.
• Root and Tuber Crops: These crops can efficiently draw nutrients from poor soils.
  • Tapioca (Cassava): A highly resilient tuber crop that is a staple in many lateritic soil areas due to its ability to grow with minimal inputs.
  • Sweet Potato: This crop is tolerant of acidic soils and can produce a good yield even with low fertility.
• Fruits: Several acid-loving fruit trees are well-suited for this soil.
  • Pineapple: Thrives in acidic, well-drained soils.
  • Jackfruit: A hardy, deep-rooted tree that is very common in lateritic landscapes.
  • Mango: Certain native and hardy varieties of mango can be grown successfully.