Major Soils of India

The topmost layer of the continental crust is made up of soil, which contains worn rock fragments. India's soils are the result of both natural and human-made influences. According to geology, Indian soils can be broadly separated between soils from the peninsula and soils from outside the peninsula.

What is Soil?

The organic and inorganic components of the earth's surface that support plant development are referred to as soil. In other words, soil is a mixture of small rock fragments/debris and organic materials/humus that forms on the surface of the earth and supports plant growth.

Features of Soils of India

Here are the descriptions of major soils of India −

Alluvial soil

In India, most of soil is alluvial (approximately 43%). In the northern plains and river valleys, it is typical. In peninsular India, they are primarily found in deltas and estuaries. Lime, hummus, and organic materials are all present. The earth here is incredibly fertile. New alluvium is referred to as Khadar, and old alluvium is referred to as Bhangar. The hue of the soil ranges from light grey to ash grey. Examples include the Narmada-Tapi plain, the Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra plain, and others.

Red soil

Usually found in regions with little rainfall, this dirt. The Omnibus group is another name for this soil. Red soil has a pore structure and is friable. The coloration is red and the lower layer is yellow or reddish yellow due to the presence of ferric oxide. Red soil is used to grow crops like wheat, cotton, legumes, tobacco, oilseeds, potatoes, and other things.

Black / regur soil

The ideal soil for growing cotton is black or regur soil, which is referred to as "regur" in Arabic. The Deccan is mostly covered in black soil. The ability of this soil to retain water is very great. Black dirt has the ability to self-plow and, when dry, forms large fractures. Black soil is a variety of dark to light black in colour and is a good source of iron, lime, calcium, potassium, aluminium, and magnesium.

Arid/desert soil

The main cause of the deposition of this soil, which is found in dry and semi-arid regions, is wind activity. has a lot of salt in it. Humus and moisture levels in this soil are low. In this soil, kankar is plentiful. The soil is coloured from red to brown. They are often salty in character and have a sandy feel. Because of the significant salt content in some regions, common salt is produced by evaporating water. Also, because of the dry weather, high temperatures, and quicker evaporation, the soil is devoid of humus and moisture. These soils can be farmed after sufficient irrigation, as in the case of western Rajasthan.

Laterite soil

The Latin term "laterite" means "brick." When wet, this soil is soft; when dry, it becomes hard. The formation of laterite soil, which is found in regions with high temperatures and rains, involves extensive leaching. Since the humus is swiftly absorbed by trees and the organic matter in the soil is quickly destroyed by bacteria owing to the high temperature, this soil's low humus content is one of its key characteristics. Iron and aluminium are abundant in another laterite. Iron oxide is the cause of the soil's red tint. The most widespread crops are cashew nuts, ragi, rice, and sugarcane.

Saline soil

Saline soil is often referred to as usara soil. Saline soils are referred to locally by the names Reh, Kallar, Chopan, Rakar, Thur, Karl, and so on. These soils formed in regions that had arid weather (with slightly higher rainfall than desert soils) and poor drainage. In this situation, capillary action deposits sodium, calcium, and magnesium salts on the top soil layer. The Southwest Monsoon transports salt flakes and deposits them as a crust in the Rann of Kuchchh. Additionally, in coastal regions, these soils are created when salt water seeps onto the ground during high tide. Furthermore, seawater intrusions in deltas encourage the development of salty soils. Areas with a lot of rain and humidity tend to have marshy soil. Here, vegetation grows quite slowly. This soil is alkaline because it has a lot of humus, or dead organic stuff. This soil has a dark colour and a dense texture.

Peaty/marshy soil

This soil comes from places where it is impossible to provide appropriate drainage. It is highly salinized and abundant in organic materials. They are lacking in phosphate and potash. Although it has a lot of moisture, the soil is unproductive because of the high salt content and daily flooding from high tides. Due to the high moisture content, there is no organic activity. clay and mud predominate, making it heavy. It is typical of the Indian delta region. In addition to the delta region, it can also be found in Almora (Uttaranchal), Alleppey (Kerala), and Karri along the backwaters (or Kayals of Kerala). Jute and rice are ideal for the Bengal Delta, whereas spices, rubber, and large-grain rice are suitable for the Malabar region. The Indian Mangrove forests have benefited from it in certain ways.

Forest soil

These soils can be found in hilly and mountainous regions where there are enough rain forests. The type of soil that is formed depends on the type of mountain environment. They are coarse grained in the upper slopes and loamy and silty in valley sides. These soils in the Himalayas' snow-covered regions are acidic, denuded, and have little humus. Fertile soil can be found in the lower valleys, notably on the alluvial fans and river terraces.

Sub-mountain soil/ Snowfields

This soil is acidic and deficient in humus. The Himalayan areas, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Kashmir, as well as the Peninsula, Eastern Ghats, and Sahyadris summits, are where mountain soils are most prevalent. Mountains such as the Himalayas, Himalayan foothills, Western Ghats Mountain slopes, Nilgiri, Annamalai, and Cardamom hills all contain mountain soil. It is highly beneficial to crops that require good air and water drainage, which this soil offers by virtue of being on slopes.

List of Soils of India

Here is a table of major soils in India and their primary locations −

Soil Type	Primary Locations
Alluvial soil	Gangetic plains, coastal regions of India
Red soil	Deccan Plateau, Eastern Ghats, parts of Central India
Black / regur soil	Deccan Plateau, parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh
Arid/desert soil	Rajasthan, parts of Gujarat, Haryana
Laterite soil	Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, parts of Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha
Saline soil	Coastal regions, especially in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu
Peaty/marshy soil	Kerala Backwaters, Sunderbans, parts of Assam and West Bengal
Forest soil	Western Ghats, Northeastern states, Himalayan region
Sub-mountain soil/ Snowfields	Himalayan foothills, Shivalik range, high altitude areas with snow cover

Conclusion

India's soils are diverse and subject to a variety of natural and human influences. Alluvial soil, red soil, black/regur soil, arid/desert soil, laterite soil, saline soil, peaty/marshy soil, forest soil, sub-mountain soil, and snowfields are some of the more common forms of soil.

Each type of soil is particular to a region of the country and has its own characteristics. For agricultural productivity and land management in India, it is essential to understand the characteristics and distribution of these soils.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the major soil types in India?

The major soil types in India include alluvial soil, red soil, black/regur soil, arid/desert soil, laterite soil, saline soil, peaty/marshy soil, forest soil, sub-mountain soil, and snowfields.

Where is alluvial soil found in India?

Alluvial soil is primarily found in the Gangetic plains and coastal regions of India.

Which regions in India have red soil?

Red soil is commonly found in the Deccan Plateau, Eastern Ghats, and parts of Central India.

Where can black/regur soil be found in India?

Black/regur soil is prevalent in the Deccan Plateau and parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.

What are the characteristics of saline soil?

Saline soil is found in coastal regions, especially in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. It contains high salt content, making it unsuitable for most crops.

Where is forest soil found in India?

Forest soil is primarily found in the Western Ghats, Northeastern states, and the Himalayan region.