Major Soils in India | Oxford Student ATLAS: Maps & Tests - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


Major Soils in India 
 
 
 
Soils of India: Classification and Characteristics 
Introduction 
Soil can be described as a mixture of small rock particles, debris, and organic 
materials, such as humus, which develop on the Earth's surface and provide a 
medium for plant growth. 
Soil Classification – Urvara vs Usara 
Since ancient times, soil in India has been classified based on two primary factors: 
fertility and sterility. The ancient classification included two categories: Urvara 
(fertile) and Usara (sterile). 
Page 2


Major Soils in India 
 
 
 
Soils of India: Classification and Characteristics 
Introduction 
Soil can be described as a mixture of small rock particles, debris, and organic 
materials, such as humus, which develop on the Earth's surface and provide a 
medium for plant growth. 
Soil Classification – Urvara vs Usara 
Since ancient times, soil in India has been classified based on two primary factors: 
fertility and sterility. The ancient classification included two categories: Urvara 
(fertile) and Usara (sterile). 
Major Soils in India 
 
 
Soil Classification – Agencies Involved 
In modern times, as our understanding of soil characteristics grew, soil 
classification expanded to include factors like texture, color, and moisture. The 
Soil Survey of India, established in 1956, played a significant role in studying 
Indian soils and their unique features. The National Bureau of Soil Survey and the 
Land Use Planning, an institute under the control of the Indian Council of 
Agricultural Research, conducted extensive studies on Indian soils. 
Major Classification of Indian Soils 
India exhibits a diverse range of soils. Let's explore the major classifications: 
1. Alluvial Soil 
? Coverage: Approximately 43% of India's total land area. 
? Distribution: Predominant in the northern plains and river valleys, as well 
as deltas and estuaries in peninsular India. 
? Characteristics: Contains humus, lime, and organic matter; highly fertile. 
? Examples: Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra plain, Narmada-Tapi plain, etc. 
? Depositional soil: Transported and deposited by rivers and streams. 
? Soil properties: 
? Color: Light Grey to Ash Grey 
? Texture: Sandy to silty loam or clay 
? Rich in: Potash 
? Poor in: Phosphorous 
? Cultivation: Mainly crops like wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane, pulses, and 
oilseeds. 
2. Red Soil 
? Distribution: Found mainly in low rainfall areas. 
? Characteristics: Porous and friable structure; lacks lime, kankar (impure 
calcium carbonate), and essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphate, 
manganese, and humus. 
? Soil properties: 
? Color: Red due to Ferric oxide; lower layer is reddish yellow or 
yellow. 
Page 3


Major Soils in India 
 
 
 
Soils of India: Classification and Characteristics 
Introduction 
Soil can be described as a mixture of small rock particles, debris, and organic 
materials, such as humus, which develop on the Earth's surface and provide a 
medium for plant growth. 
Soil Classification – Urvara vs Usara 
Since ancient times, soil in India has been classified based on two primary factors: 
fertility and sterility. The ancient classification included two categories: Urvara 
(fertile) and Usara (sterile). 
Major Soils in India 
 
 
Soil Classification – Agencies Involved 
In modern times, as our understanding of soil characteristics grew, soil 
classification expanded to include factors like texture, color, and moisture. The 
Soil Survey of India, established in 1956, played a significant role in studying 
Indian soils and their unique features. The National Bureau of Soil Survey and the 
Land Use Planning, an institute under the control of the Indian Council of 
Agricultural Research, conducted extensive studies on Indian soils. 
Major Classification of Indian Soils 
India exhibits a diverse range of soils. Let's explore the major classifications: 
1. Alluvial Soil 
? Coverage: Approximately 43% of India's total land area. 
? Distribution: Predominant in the northern plains and river valleys, as well 
as deltas and estuaries in peninsular India. 
? Characteristics: Contains humus, lime, and organic matter; highly fertile. 
? Examples: Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra plain, Narmada-Tapi plain, etc. 
? Depositional soil: Transported and deposited by rivers and streams. 
? Soil properties: 
? Color: Light Grey to Ash Grey 
? Texture: Sandy to silty loam or clay 
? Rich in: Potash 
? Poor in: Phosphorous 
? Cultivation: Mainly crops like wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane, pulses, and 
oilseeds. 
2. Red Soil 
? Distribution: Found mainly in low rainfall areas. 
? Characteristics: Porous and friable structure; lacks lime, kankar (impure 
calcium carbonate), and essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphate, 
manganese, and humus. 
? Soil properties: 
? Color: Red due to Ferric oxide; lower layer is reddish yellow or 
yellow. 
Major Soils in India 
 
 
? Texture: Sandy to clay and loamy 
? Cultivation: Mainly crops like wheat, cotton, pulses, tobacco, oilseeds, and 
potatoes. 
3. Red Soil 
? Distribution: Found mainly in low rainfall areas. 
? Characteristics: Porous and friable structure; lacks lime, kankar (impure 
calcium carbonate), and essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphate, 
manganese, and humus. 
? Soil properties: 
? Color: Red due to Ferric oxide; lower layer is reddish yellow or 
yellow. 
? Texture: Sandy to clay and loamy 
? Cultivation: Mainly crops like wheat, cotton, pulses, tobacco, oilseeds, and 
potatoes. 
4. Laterite Soil 
? Name origin: Derived from the Latin word 'Later' meaning brick. 
? Distribution: Found in areas with high temperature and rainfall. 
? Characteristics: Soft when wet and hard when dried; leaching causes the 
removal of lime, silica, and organic matter. 
? Soil properties: 
? Color: Red due to iron oxide 
? Rich in: Iron and aluminum 
? Deficient in: Nitrogen, potash, potassium, lime, and humus. 
? Cultivation: Mainly rice, ragi, sugarcane, and cashew nuts. 
5. Desert / Arid Soil 
? Distribution: Found in arid and semi-arid regions. 
? Characteristics: Deposited mainly by wind activities; high salt content and 
lack of moisture and humus. 
? Soil properties: 
? Texture: Sandy 
? Color: Red to Brown 
Page 4


Major Soils in India 
 
 
 
Soils of India: Classification and Characteristics 
Introduction 
Soil can be described as a mixture of small rock particles, debris, and organic 
materials, such as humus, which develop on the Earth's surface and provide a 
medium for plant growth. 
Soil Classification – Urvara vs Usara 
Since ancient times, soil in India has been classified based on two primary factors: 
fertility and sterility. The ancient classification included two categories: Urvara 
(fertile) and Usara (sterile). 
Major Soils in India 
 
 
Soil Classification – Agencies Involved 
In modern times, as our understanding of soil characteristics grew, soil 
classification expanded to include factors like texture, color, and moisture. The 
Soil Survey of India, established in 1956, played a significant role in studying 
Indian soils and their unique features. The National Bureau of Soil Survey and the 
Land Use Planning, an institute under the control of the Indian Council of 
Agricultural Research, conducted extensive studies on Indian soils. 
Major Classification of Indian Soils 
India exhibits a diverse range of soils. Let's explore the major classifications: 
1. Alluvial Soil 
? Coverage: Approximately 43% of India's total land area. 
? Distribution: Predominant in the northern plains and river valleys, as well 
as deltas and estuaries in peninsular India. 
? Characteristics: Contains humus, lime, and organic matter; highly fertile. 
? Examples: Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra plain, Narmada-Tapi plain, etc. 
? Depositional soil: Transported and deposited by rivers and streams. 
? Soil properties: 
? Color: Light Grey to Ash Grey 
? Texture: Sandy to silty loam or clay 
? Rich in: Potash 
? Poor in: Phosphorous 
? Cultivation: Mainly crops like wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane, pulses, and 
oilseeds. 
2. Red Soil 
? Distribution: Found mainly in low rainfall areas. 
? Characteristics: Porous and friable structure; lacks lime, kankar (impure 
calcium carbonate), and essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphate, 
manganese, and humus. 
? Soil properties: 
? Color: Red due to Ferric oxide; lower layer is reddish yellow or 
yellow. 
Major Soils in India 
 
 
? Texture: Sandy to clay and loamy 
? Cultivation: Mainly crops like wheat, cotton, pulses, tobacco, oilseeds, and 
potatoes. 
3. Red Soil 
? Distribution: Found mainly in low rainfall areas. 
? Characteristics: Porous and friable structure; lacks lime, kankar (impure 
calcium carbonate), and essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphate, 
manganese, and humus. 
? Soil properties: 
? Color: Red due to Ferric oxide; lower layer is reddish yellow or 
yellow. 
? Texture: Sandy to clay and loamy 
? Cultivation: Mainly crops like wheat, cotton, pulses, tobacco, oilseeds, and 
potatoes. 
4. Laterite Soil 
? Name origin: Derived from the Latin word 'Later' meaning brick. 
? Distribution: Found in areas with high temperature and rainfall. 
? Characteristics: Soft when wet and hard when dried; leaching causes the 
removal of lime, silica, and organic matter. 
? Soil properties: 
? Color: Red due to iron oxide 
? Rich in: Iron and aluminum 
? Deficient in: Nitrogen, potash, potassium, lime, and humus. 
? Cultivation: Mainly rice, ragi, sugarcane, and cashew nuts. 
5. Desert / Arid Soil 
? Distribution: Found in arid and semi-arid regions. 
? Characteristics: Deposited mainly by wind activities; high salt content and 
lack of moisture and humus. 
? Soil properties: 
? Texture: Sandy 
? Color: Red to Brown 
Major Soils in India 
 
 
? Other features: High content of kankar (impure calcium carbonate) restricts 
water infiltration; nitrogen is insufficient, and phosphate levels are normal. 
6. Peaty / Marshy Soil 
? Characteristics: Found in areas of heavy rainfall and high humidity; contains 
a large quantity of dead organic matter (humus), making the soil alkaline. 
? Soil properties: Heavy soil with black color. 
7. Forest Soil 
? Characteristics: Found in regions with high rainfall; acidic soil due to low 
humus content. 
8. Mountain Soil 
? Characteristics: Found in mountainous regions; immature soil with low 
humus content and acidic properties. 
 
Conclusion 
The soils of India exhibit diverse characteristics and classifications, playing a vital 
role in supporting agricultural activities. From the fertile alluvial soil covering a 
significant portion of the country to the red soil found in low rainfall areas, the 
black soil renowned for cotton cultivation, and the laterite soil with its leaching 
challenges, each soil type presents unique properties and challenges. The 
desert/arid soil, peaty/marshy soil, forest soil, and mountain soil further 
contribute to India's soil diversity. Understanding the classification and 
characteristics of Indian soils is essential for aspirants preparing for exams, as it 
provides valuable insights into their fertility, texture, and nutrient composition, 
influencing agricultural practices and crop suitability.