Classifications of Soils in India

Regions where alluvial soil is located

1) Northern plains

2) Deltas of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri

States/ UTs with alluvial soil

Punjab, Haryana, UP, WB, Rajasthan, Gujarat

Formation of alluvial soil

They have been formed by fine sand, silt and clay deposits brought down by 3 river systems- Indus , Ganga and Brahmaputra.

Composition of alluvial

1. Fertile soil

2. Contains potash, phosphoric acid and lime

3. Ideal for growing sugarcane, wheat, paddy, other cereals and pulses

Types of alluvial soil

• Khadar – New alluvial soil, fertile, found near rivers in flood plains

• Bhangar – Old alluvial soil with kankar nodules, found away from rivers

Other characteristics of alluvial soil

1. Suitable for growing cereals, pulses and oilseeds

2. Soils in drier areas are more alkaline

Regions where black soil is found

• Deccan Trap region over north-west Deccan Plateau

• Krishna and Godavari valleys

States with black soil

Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Formation of black soil

Formed from lava flows in the Deccan Plateau over thousands of years

Composition of black soil

• Rich in potash

• Contains calcium carbonate, magnesium and lime

• Poor in phosphoric content

Characteristics of black soil

• Black in colour and suitable for cotton cultivation

• Retains moisture; sticky when wet and develops cracks on drying

• Deep cracks in hot weather help in aeration of soil

Regions where red and yellow soil is found

• Areas of low rainfall

• Eastern and southern parts of Deccan Plateau

• Ganga plains

• Piedmont zone of Western Ghats

States with red and yellow soil

Odisha, Chhattisgarh

Formation of red and yellow soil

Developed on crystalline and igneous rocks in areas of low rainfall

Composition of red and yellow soil

Rich in iron particles

Characteristics of red and yellow soil

1. Red colour due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks

2. Yellow colour when soil occurs in hydrated form

Regions where laterite soil is found

Hilly areas of Assam, Odisha and parts of Andhra Pradesh

States with laterite soil

Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh

Formation of laterite soil

• Develops in areas of heavy rainfall and high temperature

• Result of leaching due to heavy rain

Composition of laterite soil

• Low humus content

• Bacteria destroyed due to high temperature

Characteristics of laterite soil

1. Suitable for cultivation with adequate manures and fertilisers

2. Useful for growing tea, coffee and cashew nuts

3. Humus content is low because micro-organisms like bacteria get destroyed

Regions where arid soil is found

Parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan

States with arid soil

Rajasthan, Gujarat

Formation of arid soil

• Due to high temperature and evaporation, soil lacks humus and moisture

• High calcium content leads to formation of kankar layer restricting infiltration

Characteristics of arid soil

• Red or brown in colour

• Common salt obtained by evaporation of water

• Proper irrigation makes the soil cultivable

Regions where forest soil is found

Hilly and mountainous areas

States/UTs with forest soil

Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh

Formation of forest soil

Soil texture varies according to mountain environment where they are formed

Composition of forest soil

• Loamy and silty in river valleys

• Coarse grains on upper slopes

• Acidic with low humus content in snow-covered areas

Characteristics of forest soil

Soils found in river terraces and alluvial fans are fertile