Soil (cont.)

Types of Soil

1. Red Soil:
   1. It is light textured with porous and friable structure;
   2. Absence of lime, kankar & free carbonates;
   3. Neutral to acidic in nature
   4. Deficient in nitrogen, humus & phosphoric acid.
   5. Found in Periyar & Salem districts of Tamil Nadu, MP, Andhra Pradesh, East Rajasthan, etc.
2. Laterite & Lateritic Soil:
   1. Red to reddish yellow in color
   2. Deficient in N,P,K, Lime & magnesia
   3. This is made in situ under conditions of heavy rainfall with alternate wet & drying periods
   4. It is porous so results in leaching i.e. essential material move down.
   5. Found in almost entire India – Eastern Ghats, entire South India, Satpura, VIndhyan Plateau, Maikal & Mahadeo range in MP.
3. Black Soil/Indian Regur Soil/Black Cotton Soil:
   1. It is originated from vulcanism.
   2. Dark brown in colour & suitable for growing cotton
   3. Lime accumulation is seen.
   4. Deficient in Nitrogen, Phosphoric acid & organic matter
   5. Rich in Calcium, Potash & Magnesium.
   6. Found in Deccan Plateau (Maharashtra) & MP Plateau, Saurashtra & Malwa.
4. Alluvial Soil:
   1. Soil material deposited by river during floods.
   2. Sometimes deficient in N,P and Humus.
   3. Highly productive soil.
   4. Found in Great northern gangetic plains, along valleys of Narmada, Tapi, Cauvery & Godavari.
5. Forest & Hill Soils:
   1. Occur at high/low elevation if rainfall is sufficient to support trees.
   2. Soil is very shallow, steep & slony.
   3. It is infertile for production of field crops but produce timber & fuel.
   4. Found in Himalayan regions, valley basins, less steeply inclined slopes, depressions.
6. Saline & Alkaline Soils
   1. Occur in area having a little more rainfall than in areas of desert soil.
   2. They show incrustation of salts of calcium, magnesium & sodium on the surface.
   3. These are poor in drainage & are infertile.
7. Desert Soils:
   1. Mostly sandly soils occurring in low rainfall region
   2. Well supplied with soluble soil but deficient in nitrogen & organic matter.
   3. It has high pH value
   4. Quite productive soil
   5. This is subjected to wind erosion
   6. Found in Western Rajasthan & adjoining regions of Gujarat.
8. Peaty & Marshy Soil:
   1. Found in Kerala (where it is known as Kari Soil), coastal track of Orissa, Sunderban area of West Bengal.
   2. When vegetation dies in wet areas, it decompose very slowly due to extreme wetness leading to accumulation of partly decomposed organic matter, giving rise to peaty & marshy soil
   3. These are black colored, heavy & highly acidic soil.
   4. When properly drained & fertilized, suitable for rice cultivation.