Soil of Telangana | Telangana State PSC (TSPSC): Preparation Course - TSPSC (Telangana) PDF Download

Introduction

Soil plays a crucial role in crop cultivation as it provides essential elements for plant growth. The productivity of crops is significantly influenced by the type and properties of the soil. It is vital to manage and conserve soil to ensure optimal crop growth and yield. Additionally, climate is another critical factor affecting agricultural productivity in India.

Types of Soil

Soil classification is based on various factors such as color, depth, pH, productivity, texture, and formation process.
Soil Depth Classification

• Shallow Soil: Soil with a depth of less than 22.5cm, suitable for shallow-rooted crops like Paddy and Nagli.
• Medium Deep Soil: Soil with a depth ranging from 22.5 to 45cm, ideal for crops with moderately deep roots such as Sugar cane, Banana, and Gram.
• Deep Soil: Soil with a depth exceeding 45cm, suitable for crops with long and deep roots like Mango and Coconut.

Major Types of Soils in India

• Indian soils are diverse and classified into various types based on different characteristics.

Main Types of Soil in India

• Red soils
• Laterites and lateritic soil
• Black soil
• Alluvial soils
• Forest & hill soils
• Peaty and marshy soils

Red Soils

• Red soils can be categorized into two classes:
  (a) Red loam with cloddy structure and concretionary materials
  (b) Red earths with loose, permeable topsoil and a high content of secondary concretions

• Red soils are light textured with a porous and friable structure. They are neutral to acidic and deficient in nitrogen, humus, phosphoric acid, and lime. These soils do not contain lime Kankar and free carbonates.

Laterites and Lateritic Soils

• Laterites and lateritic soils are red to reddish-yellow in color and low in essential nutrients like N, P, K, lime, and magnesia. 
• They are formed in-situ under conditions of high rainfall with alternating dry and wet periods, leading to excessive leaching of soil colloids and silica.

Black Soils

• Black soils, also known as "Black cotton soils," are mostly clay soils that develop deep cracks during the dry season. They are characterized by a dark brown color and are suitable for growing cotton. 
• These soils are deficient in nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and organic matter but rich in calcium, potash, and magnesium.

Alluvial Soils

• Alluvial soils are found along rivers, deposited by floodwaters. 
• While usually productive, they lack nitrogen, humus, and phosphorus. 
• These soils support various crops due to their fertility levels.

Forest and Hill Soils

• Forest and hill soils occur at both high and low elevations with sufficient rainfall for tree growth. 
• Despite being shallow and infertile for field crops, they are vital for timber and fuel production, highlighting their ecological importance.

Desert Soils

• Desert soils, predominantly sandy, exist in low rainfall regions. 
• Although rich in soluble salts, they lack nitrogen and organic matter, with high pH levels. 
• Despite these challenges, they are surprisingly productive and prone to wind erosion.

Saline & Alkaline Soils

• Saline and alkaline soils are found in regions with slightly higher rainfall than deserts. 
• They exhibit white salt incrustations and poor drainage, rendering them infertile for cultivation. 
• These soils are characterized by their salt-rich surface layers.

Peaty and Marshy Soils

• Peaty and marshy soils are prevalent in wet areas like Kerala and coastal regions. 
• These soils develop from slowly decomposing vegetation, resulting in black, heavy, and acidic soil. 
• With proper drainage and fertilization, they support successful rice cultivation due to their unique composition.

Soil Types in Telangana

Telangana, established on June 2, 2013, after its separation from Andhra Pradesh, occupies an area of 114,840 km2, making it the 12th largest state in India. The state boasts diverse soil compositions.

Red Soils

• Red soils dominate Telangana, covering approximately 48% of the state. 
• They originate from the weathering of ancient metamorphic rocks, with their distinct red color attributed to iron oxides. 
• Predominantly found in Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Karimnagar, Khammam, Rangareddy, and Nizamabad districts.

Black Soils

• Constituting about 25% of Telangana's total area, black soils are formed from volcanic rocks and lava flow. 
• Also known as regur soils, they are especially conducive to cotton cultivation due to their high water retention capacity. 
• Mainly present in Adilabad, Rangareddy, and Nizamabad districts.

Laterite Soils

• Spanning 7% of the region, laterite soils result from intense leaching in areas with high temperatures and significant rainfall. 
• These sticky soils are primarily located in Medak and Khammam districts.

Alluvial Soils

• Alluvial soils form through sediment deposition by rivers, showcasing richness in humus and high fertility levels. 
• Typically found along riverbanks.