Step 1: Understand the process of soil formation.
Laterite soil develops in regions experiencing heavy rainfall and high temperatures. Continuous rainfall causes intense leaching, which washes away silica and soluble minerals, leaving behind iron and aluminium oxides. This process gives the soil its characteristic reddish colour.
Step 2: Analyse the flow chart.
The flow chart mentions heavy rainfall and high leaching, which are the major conditions responsible for the formation of Laterite soil. Such soils are commonly found in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, parts of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Assam.
Step 3: Agricultural importance.
Although laterite soil is naturally less fertile, it becomes productive with the use of fertilizers and irrigation. It is highly suitable for plantation crops such as tea, coffee, rubber, cashew, and coconut. Therefore, the missing soil in the flow chart is Laterite soil.