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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).
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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.
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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
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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.
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