Soils of India
Geography · भारत की मिट्टी
📋Quick Overview
Soil is the uppermost layer of the earth's crust, formed by the weathering of rocks. India has diverse soil types due to its varied climate, relief, and vegetation. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has classified Indian soils into 6 major types. Alluvial soil is the most widespread and fertile, covering about 40% of India's total area. Soil study is called Pedology.
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ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) classifies Indian soils into 6 major types: Alluvial, Black, Red, Laterite, Desert, and Mountain soil
📖6 Major Soil Types of India
| Soil Type | Also Called | Location | Characteristics | Best Crops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alluvial Soil | Riverine Soil | Indo-Gangetic Plain, Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar, WB, Assam, coastal plains | Most widespread (~40% area), very fertile, rich in potash but poor in phosphorus, two types: Khadar (new) & Bhangar (old) | Rice, Wheat, Sugarcane, Jute, Maize |
| Black Soil | Regur / Cotton Soil | Deccan Plateau — Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP, Karnataka, AP, Telangana | Rich in iron, lime, calcium, magnesium, alumina; poor in nitrogen & phosphorus; self-ploughing (swells when wet, cracks when dry); high moisture retention | Cotton (best), Sugarcane, Jowar, Wheat, Tobacco, Groundnut |
| Red Soil | Red Earth | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, AP, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, eastern Rajasthan | Red due to iron oxide content, formed from crystalline & metamorphic rocks, poor in nitrogen, phosphorus & humus, porous & friable | Millets, Groundnut, Potato, Rice (with irrigation) |
| Laterite Soil | Brick Soil | Kerala, Karnataka, TN hills, Meghalaya, Odisha (heavy rain areas) | Formed by leaching in heavy rain, rich in iron & aluminium, poor in nitrogen & potash, brick-red colour, acidic, not very fertile | Tea, Coffee, Cashew, Rubber |
| Desert/Arid Soil | Sandy Soil | Western Rajasthan (Thar), parts of Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab | Sandy texture, low moisture & humus, high salt content (saline), poor in organic matter, kankar (calcium carbonate) layer at bottom | Drought-resistant crops: Bajra, Jowar, Guar (with irrigation: wheat) |
| Mountain/Forest Soil | Hill Soil | Himalayan slopes, Western & Eastern Ghats hill areas | Rich in humus but acidic, varies with altitude — fertile in valleys, thin on steep slopes, formed from organic matter & weathering | Tea, Spices, Fruits (apple, pear in higher altitudes) |
📝Alluvial Soil — Khadar vs Bhangar
📝Soil Erosion
- •Sheet Erosion: Top layer of soil removed uniformly by water/wind over large area
- •Rill Erosion: Small channels (rills) formed by running water on slopes
- •Gully Erosion: Deep channels cut into soil → leads to badlands (Chambal ravines)
- •Wind Erosion: Common in Rajasthan desert, soil blown away by wind
- •Prevention: Terrace farming, contour ploughing, afforestation, shelter belts, strip cropping