Soil is an important resource for life and also the backbone of India’s economy. India has several soil types with different properties due to the varied geology, climate, and vegetation. Soil is classified by fertility, composition, and relief. Knowledge of soil types helps farmers increase crop productivity. However many farmers are unaware of what soil is suitable for crops. In this blog, we have highlighted different types of soils in India and how they can be efficiently utilized in agriculture. Stay with us to learn more!
Types of Soil and Their Role in Agriculture
Data is the bedrock of agriculture, supplying nutrients, water, and anchoring to get the crops growing. It contains millions of life forms — organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and microorganisms — that are essential for life. Various soils have their own chemical and physical properties that affect crop productivity. Texture, colour, depth, structure , and porosity are key physical properties that determine how well a soil retains water, allows air movement, and supports plant roots. Plants grow much more effectively when the soil has a good structure, which allows for water absorption and aeration.
The powers and weaknesses of soil have made it a boon and a bane to farmers and are something they know little about in all situations. Some soils are better suited for growing crops naturally if they are managed well to improve both fertility and structure. Understanding soil properties assists us in picking the ideal crops making the agriculture industry more lucrative. India has different types of soil and every type is required for its respective crops. Here are the types of soil in India and the best farming practices for them.
How to Check Soil Structure
Soil structure is the arrangement of soil particles (sand, silt, clay, and organic matter) into granules, fragments, or blocks. This process is essential for the proper movement of water, air, and nutrients in the plant. Good soil structure is essential for robust, healthy plant growth, whereas poor structure leads to water logging, nutrient lock-up, and, ultimately low crop productivity. Plants then cannot thrive and sometimes even perish due to a lack of good soil structure.
Observing soil structure is relatively simple by visual observation. To check, dig a hole with a spade to about 30-40 cm deep, followed by an untouched side of the spade. Next, look at the side with no markings and prod it with a knife or pen at 2.54 cm (1 in) intervals, taking note of where it feels stickier. It helps to understand the compactness and structure of the soil, which provides useful information for the farmers to improve the health of the soil to have better crop yields.
Types Of Soil Structure
There are Four types of soil structure in India as follows:
- Prismatic Soil Structure
- Platy Soil Structure
- Blocky Soil Structure
- Granular Soil Structure
The Different Types of Soil
Do you know what are different types of soil in India? There are different sorts of soils in the Indian subcontinent with differing characteristics and properties. Each is ideal for a particular category of crops. Different crops are grown in different types of soil in India. The section below contains some of the most popular soil types when it comes to India. Do you think what is the best soil for farming? Soil Types in India Types of Soil in India You can also refer to the soil types mentioned below to get information regarding soil types and characteristics.
There are Seven Types of Soil in India
- Alluvial Soil
- Black Soil
- Laterite Soil
- Red & Yellow Soil
- Mountain & Forest Soil
- Desert Soil
- Arid Soil
1. Alluvial Soil
Since Alluvial soil is the most common and fertile soil type in India it is available in most of the areas in India. The delta land is formed by the deposition of sediments carried by rivers; thus, it is rich in most of the essential nutrients required for agriculture. August 20, 2019: Coastal districts have one particular type of alluvial soil called Riverine and thus play a role in improving water quality by filtering the residues of flowing water. However, recent alluvial soils are well-stratified and bury organic carbon at much deeper levels, while older alluvial soils are more stable and have a balanced organic carbon distribution. The fertility of alluvial soil helps grow crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, and vegetables.
Features: Alluvial soil is a mixture of clay and sandy loam soil. It Is A Drainage in Quickly Nature. This type of soil is rich in phosphoric acid and organic materials. It is also low in nitrogen and potash.
Best Crops For Soil: This soil is best suitable for the crops of cotton, wheat, sorghum, Bajra, maize, barley, jute, tobacco, Green and black grams, Chickpeas, Pigeon peas, Soybeans, Sesame, Groundnuts, Linseed any Other oilseed, Fruit or Vegetable.
Regions or States
- This is mainly found in the delta region of North India.
- Accounts for more than 35% of the entire land area of India.
- Mainly from the Ganga river.
- They are found in the Indo-Gangetic plain, northern coastal Gujarat, and the Narmada and Tapi valleys.
Classified into:
- New Alluvial Soil (Khadar) – Occurs in the floodplains more fertile.
- Old Alluvial Soil (Bangar) – Unelevated land with more fertile soil
2. Black Soil
Black soil is rich in minerals, but its surface is dark because of more organic carbon black soil is also called regur soil or cotton soil. It is about 25 cm deep and one of the best states of soil that preserves moisture content, thus, good for agriculture. The black soil is of two varieties,: First-class black soil which is more fertile and can retain more moisture and second is Second-class black soil which has comparatively lesser fertility.
Since this soil is suitable for cotton cultivation, it is known as Cotton Soil. Take a look at the major characteristics, areas as well as best crops grown in black soil under the sections below.
Characteristics of Black Soil:-
Black soil is made up of weathered lava rocks and is rich in minerals like magnesium, iron, aluminium, and lime. But it has very little nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter. Organic matter contributes to the black color of the soil known as humus or salts formed during soil formation. Outstanding moisture retention in this soil, sticky when wet and cracks when dry. It is relatively clay-rich but turns sandy in hilly areas.
Regions or States:-
- Found in: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana
- Predominantly in the river valleys of the Narmada, Godavari, Tapi, and Krishna.
The most popular crops of black soil:-
- Cotton – The primary cultivated crop, which lends its name to the soil.
- Other Crops – Wheat, cereals, rice, Jowar, sugarcane, linseed, sunflower, groundnut, tobacco, millets, citrus fruit, oil seeds, and all vegetables.
3. Laterite Soil
One of the rarest types of soil found in India is Laterite soil. It occupies a substantial voluminous iron reserve of iron oxide and is derived from the weathering of diverse rocks under highly oxidizing and leaching conditions. This soil forms in regions of heavy rainfall and humidity, predominantly tropic with some subtropic. Laterite soil is also often used for making bricks because of its iron level.
Characteristics:-
- Introducing iron and aluminium A rusty red color.
- Low in organic matter, nitrogen, calcium, phosphate, and acidity.
- Widely used for brick manufacture because of its high iron content.
Regions or States:-
Widely distributed across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Assam.
Best Soil For Crops:-
Visakhapatnam: Ideal for cotton, wheat, rice, pulses, rubber, tea, coffee, coconut and cashew.
4. Red & Yellow Soil
Red and Yellow Soil (Lateritic Soil): Their red colour is due to iron oxide, and they appear yellow when moist. It is mostly found in areas with high temperatures and intermediate amounts of precipitation and is formed from the weathering of igneous, and metamorphic rocks such as granite and gneiss. Now, this is a good soil for agriculture because it has moderate fertility. Laterites take shape in warm and wet environments with low organic material content, while those in a yellow environment are more hydrated.
Features:- This soil contains a high amount of iron oxide which is why it is red. It is formed as necessary metamorphic rocks wear away. The red and yellow soil is rich in potash but poor in organic matter, nitrogen, magnesium, lime and phosphorus. Sandy is the texture of this soil.
Regions or States:-
Commonly distributed in Deccan Plateau, Western Ghats, Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
Best Soil For Crops:-
- Cereals & Pulses – Rice, wheat, maize, ragi, Millets.
- Oilseeds – Groundnut and Other Oilseeds.
- Cash Crop – Sugarcane and Potatoes.
- Fruits & Vegetables — Mango, citrus fruits and different vegetables.
5. Mountain & Forest Soil-
Mountain and forest soil – these are also called forest soil found in hilly and mountainous areas. Usually loamy and acidic, it contains organic matter from decomposed forest litter. According to the climatic conditions, the soil type varies, which grows tea, coffee, spices, fruits, and vegetables.
Characteristics:
- Rich in organic matter but poor in potash, phosphorus, and lime.
- Fertile soil is normally acidic and needs to be fertilized for a better crop.
Regions & States:
It occurs in the Himalayan region, the Western and Eastern Ghats, and in some parts of the Peninsular Plateau.
Best Crops for This Soil:
Fit for wheat, barley, maize, tea, coffee, spices, tropical & temperate fruits.
6. Desert Soil-
Desert soil: They are also known as Aridisol They are present in dry areas with very little yearly rainfall. Its texture is sandy, organic matter is low and salinity is high. Within that soil is often a layer of Calcium Carbonate (caliche) that makes this soil naturally unfertile without irrigation. It can range in colour from grey to reddish-brown and is easily eroded by wind due to its loose structure. Deserts account for 20% to 33% of the World’s surface and can exist in tropical regions, polar regions, and mid-latitudes.
Characteristics –
The soil of the desert is sandy, dry and has less nitrogen. Agriculture in the region needs proper irrigation. Its dry nature allows only drought-resistant crops to grow.
Regions or States –
Located in Rajasthan, Rann of Kutch (Gujarat), interspersed areas of Haryana and Punjab and coastlines of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Orissa. It occupies some 4% of India’s total land.
Best Soil For Growing Crops –
In desert soil, drought-tolerant crops such as barley and millet flourish.
7. Arid Soil
Arid soil exists in dry and semi-dry parts of the world, e.g., the Middle East, Africa, North and South America, Australia, etc. With sufficient irrigation, it is good land for agriculture. Well with clay soil crops (brussels sprouts, broccoli, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, kale, daikon radish and peas).
Characteristics –
Due to severe evaporation, arid soil has low clay content, low organic matter, sandy. This low nitrogen content means that it has a high salt content (saline). The soil here ranges and is very rich in the oils of plants.
Regions or States – Located in Aravalli West.
Best Soil for Growing Crops –
This soil supports saline-resistant and drought-tolerant crops such as barley, maize, wheat, millet, cotton, and pulses.
Always remember that Indian soil has different types, so not all crops of all areas will grow in every part of India. These soils are characterized according to their characteristics and properties, making them most suitable for agriculture. This is home to some of the most productive soils in terms of the most essential plant crops present in the diversified Indian diet.
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