These soils are black in colour and are also known as `black soils`. Since they are perfect for growing cotton, they are also called cotton soils, in addition to their local terminology of `regur soils`. These soils are most characteristic of the Deccan trap (Basalt) region, spread over the north-west Deccan plateau and are made up of lava flows. They cover the plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa and southern Madhya Pradesh and continue eastwards in the south, along the Godavari and Krishna Valleys. In their creation, climatic conditions are immensely important just like their parent rock materials. Hence they lengthen much further than the `tava` plateau itself.

Black soils are made of exceptionally delicate i.e. clayey material. They are well-known for their ability to retain moisture. In addition, they are prosperous in soil nutrients, like calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, potash and lime. They are usually poor in phosphoric content. They develop thick fissures in the field during hot weather. This helps in their ventilation; hence their self-plowing eminence. This soil is viscous and unmanageable to work, unless tilled without delay, after the first or pre-monsoon showers.