Types of soil in India

This power point shows about the major soils of India in detail including pictures.

1. SOILS Aswin babu

2. Class 10

3. SOILS IN INDIA

4. Soil is one of the major natural resources, like air and water. Soil is the topmost layer of the earth's crust and is a mixture of fine powdered rocks, organic matter, liquids, myriad organisms and other minerals. It acts as an interface between hydrosphere, lithosphere, earth's atmosphere and biosphere. The proportion of the key ingredients determines the type of soil.

5. But, factors such as vegetation, climatic conditions, human activities for example grazing, farming, gardening etc.. also influence soil formation. In India, various types of soils are found and their formations are influenced by certain factors such as altitude, climate disproportionate rainfall and many others. The type of soil differs in different areas of the country.

6. A L L U V I A L S O I L

7. Formation of alluvial soil When the rivers flow down from the mountains, the water collects minerals and other materials on the way. This is then deposited on the riverbanks, in the delta area near the mouth of rivers .

8. Characteristics of alluvial soil This soil is very fertile. These soil contain adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid and lime which is ideal for the cultivation of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse crops. Due to its high fertility, these regions are intensively cultivated and densely populated.

9. They occur all along the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra plains ( that is northern plains) except in few places where the top layer is covered by desert sand. They are also found in deltas of the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri, where they are called deltaic alluvium (coastal alluvium). Some alluvial soils are found in the Narmada, Tapi valleys and Northern parts of Gujarat. Distribution of Alluvial Soils in India

10. The alluvial soil is c lassified into Bhangar and K hadar on the basis of their age.

11. Difference between Bhangar and Khadar

12. Black Soil

13. Also known as regur soil. Regur means cotton – best soil for cotton cultivation. Most of the Deccan is occupied by Black soil. Mature soil. High water retaining capacity. Swells and will become sticky when wet and shrink when dried. Self- ploughing is a characteristic of the black soil as it develops wide cracks when dried. Rich in: Iron, lime, calcium, potassium, aluminum and magnesium. Deficient in: Nitrogen, Phosphorous and organic matter. Colour : Deep black to light black.

14. RED SOIL

15. Seen mainly in low rainfall area. Also known as Omnibus group. Porous, friable structure. Absence of lime, kankar (impure calcium carbonate). Deficient in : lime, phosphate, manganese, nitrogen, humus and potash. Colour : Red because of Ferric oxide. The lower layer is reddish yellow or yellow. Texture: Sandy to clay and loamy. Wheat, cotton, pulses, tobacco, oilseeds, potato etc are cultivated.

16. Forest soil

17. Forest Soils Forest soils are formed in the forest areas where sufficient rainfall is available. The soils vary in structure and texture depending on the mountain environment where they are formed. They are loamy and silty on valley sides and coarse-grained in the upper slopes. In the snow-bound areas of the Himalayas, they experience denudation, and are acidic with low humus content . The soils found in the lower valleys are fertile .

18. LATERITE SOIL

19. Name from Latin word ‘Later’ which means Brick. Become so soft when wet and so hard when dried. In the areas of high temperature and high rainfall. Formed as a result of high leaching. Lime and silica will be leached away from the soil. Organic matters of the soil will be removed fast by the bacteria as it is high temperature and humus will be taken quickly by the trees and other plants. Thus, humus content is low. Rich in : Iron and Aluminum Deficient in : Nitrogen, Potash, Potassium, Lime, Humus Colour : Red colour due to iron oxide. Rice, Ragi , Sugarcane and Cashew nuts are cultivated mainly. LATERITE SOIL

20. Desert / arid soil: Seen under Arid and Semi-Arid conditions. Deposited mainly by wind activities. High salt content. Lack of moisture and Humus. Kankar or Impure Calcium carbonate content is high which restricts the infiltration of water. Nitrogen is insufficient and Phosphate is normal. Texture: Sandy Colour : Red to Brown.

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