The thin surface layer on the earth is called soil. Soil consists of mineral particles, decayed organic matter, living organisms, water and air.
Types of soils found in India
The soil, its
composition and types:
The
thin surface layer on the earth is called soil. Soil consists of mineral
particles, decayed organic matter, living organisms, water and air. The
formation of soil is mainly related to the type of rock they disintegrated
from, surface relief, climate and natural vegetation. Soils of India are
classified into five major types. They are alluvial soil, black soil, red soil,
laterite soil, forest and mountain soil, arid and desert soil are the types of
soil found in India.
1.
The alluvial soil is the most fertile soil:
Alluvial
soil is formed by the deposition of sediments brought down by the erosion works
of the rivers and glaciers. Bhangar and Khadar are the two types of alluvial
soil. The older and coarse alluvium is called Bhangar. The fine and new fertile
alluvium is called the Khadar.
The
alluvial soil is rich in potash, phosphoric acid and lime. The soil is
deficient in nitrogen and humus. The soil is most commonly found in the
Northern Great Plains, coastal plains of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, delta
regions of the Cauvery and Mahanadi, deltaic regions of West Bengal. Alluvial
soil is the most fertile soil and greatly favours the cultivation of paddy,
sugarcane and jute.
2.
The black soil is good for cotton cultivation:
Black
soil is formed from the solidification of lava, a volcanic matter. The lava
spread over to large areas during volcanic- activities of the earth almost
thousands of years ago.
Black
soil is rich in calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, lime and iron. The soil
is deficient in phosphorous. The soil is clayey and impermeable, and has a
great capacity to retain moisture for a long time. The soil is sticky in its
wet form and develops cracks during dry summer season.
Black
soil is found in the northern parts of Karnataka, southern Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and some places in Andhra Pradesh. Black soil is
most suited for dry farming due to high moisture retention. Cotton is the most
common crop grown on black soil. Sugarcane and maize also grow on black soil.
3.
Red soil, the second best for crop cultivation:
Red
soil has a wide diffusion (dispersal) of iron. For this reason the soil looks
red. The soil is formed due to the disintegration of crystalline as well as
metamorphic rocks. The soil is non retentive o moisture. Hence, the cultivation
can be done with irrigation facilities. The soil is mos commonly found in Tamil
Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, south eastern Maharashtra eastern parts of
Madhya Pradesh, many parts of Orissa and Chotanagpur regions.
Red
soil is rich in iron content and ferromanganese compounds. The soil is
deficient in phosphorous, nitrogen, lime and humus. Ragi, rice, paddy and
tobacco are some ol the cash crops grown on this soil. All varieties of
vegetables grow well on this soil.
4.
The Laterite soil, as hard as rock:
Laterite
soil is formed as a result of intense leaching process resulting in the removal
of silica from laterite rocks. The soil is most commonly found in Karnataka,
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and the hilly areas of Orissa
and Assam. Laterite soil is acidic in nature. The soil is deficient in
phosphoric acid, lime, potassium, magnesium and nitrogen.
5.
Forest and mountain soil is good for plantation crops:
Forest
and mountain soil is rich in humus and organic matter. The soil is found in the
hilly regions such as the Western and Eastern Ghats, the Himachal and the
Stwalik regions. Plantation crops such as tea, coffee and rubber grow well on
these soils. Tea grows well on the hills of Assam and West Bengal. Coffee grows
well on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats.
Geography of India : Tag: Geography of India : - Types of soils found in India