SOIL GROUPS OF INDIA

In this episode, the following aspects are going to be seen,

1) Alluvial Soil in India

2) Black Soil in India
3) Red Soil in India
4) Laterite and lateritic Soil in India
5) Arid and Desert Soils
6) Forest soils in India
7) Mountain Soils in India
8) Saline and Alkaline Soils
9) Peaty and Marshy Soils

INTRODUCTION:

Soil is a natural body consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses,

which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and
mineralogical characteristics.

Soil is formed under specific natural conditions and each of the elements of the natural
environment contributes to this complex process, described by the soil scientists as the
process o f pedogenesis.

Soil is composed of particles of broken rock that have been altered by chemical and
environmental processes that include weathering and erosion. Soil differs from its parent
rock due to interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and the
biosphere. It is a mixture of mineral and organic constituents that are in solid, gaseous and
aqueous states. Soil is commonly referred to as dirt.

Soil particles pack loosely, forming a soil structure filled with pore spaces. These pores
contain soil solution and air. Most soils have a density between 1 and 2 g/cm³. Soil is also
known as earth.

Soil is very important natural resource of India because agricultural production is basically
dependent on fertility of soil. The rich deep fertile soils of Ganga plain, especially its delta,
and coastal plains of Kerala support high density of population through agricultural
prosperity.

Soil supports plants, animals as well as human life. Life depends on the food we eat and
soil is the source of that food for man and animals. Thus, agriculture production depends
on the fertility of soil.
India is a country of vast dimensions with varied conditions of geology, relief climate and
vegetation. Therefore, India has a large variety of soil groups distinctly different from each
other by way of their origin, color, texture, fertility and chemical composition.

Geologically, Indian soils can broadly divided into two main groups-

a) Soils of peninsular India- are those which have been formed by the decomposition
of rocks in situ, i.e., directly from the underlying parent rocks. They are transported
and re-deposited to a limited extent and are known as sedentary soils.
b) Soils of extra peninsular India (Northern plains)- are formed by transported or
residual alluvium, brought down by the rivers from the Himalayas or by wind.
These soils are often referred to as transported soils.

Alluvial Soil in India

These soils originate from the transported alluvium brought by the rivers. Apart from the
size of their grains or particles, alluvial soils are distinguished according to their age also.
They can be divided into two types:

Young Khadar soil: these are newer alluvium of sandy, pale brown composition, found in
the lower areas of valley bottoms which are flooded almost every year. Khadar soils are
more sandy in composition that Bhangar soils

Old Bhangar soil: these are older alluvium more clayey in composition and generally of
dark colours; also becomes Alkaline and is called Bhurs; these soils are coarse in nature
and contain kankar (lime nodules) they are found 30m above flood level of the rivers.

Alluvial soils of India are of two categories as: River alluvium soil and coastal Alluvial
soil. Coastal alluvium are confined to coastal belts only.

These soils are composed of material drawn from different rocks and therefore contain a
great variety of salts. The fertility of the soil is because of the following reasons: Lit is due
to more mixing up of the debris from the rocks of the Himalayas rather than that of the
prevalence of nitrogenous matters or humus.

These soils are very fine grained, highly porous and light so that they are easily tilled and
are therefore the best agricultural soils of the country. Alluvial soil is suitable for
agriculture in India because it is very fertile. It covers about forty percent of the total land
area of India. This soil is suitable for rice, sugarcane, tobacco, banana, cotton, wheat,
jute, maize, oilseeds and vegetables.

They are by far the largest and the most important soil group of India. They are composed
of sediments deposited by rivers and the waves. Their chemical composition makes them
one of the most fertile in the world. Usually deficient in nitrogen and humus.
The river deposits extremely refined particles of soil, called alluvium in their plains during
the path of their long travel; These soils consist of diverse ratios of clay, sand and silt.

In general, they carry potash, lime and phosphoric acid. However, they are lacking in
nitrogenous and organic substance. Alluvial soils in the drier areas of India are more
alkaline in nature. Alluvial soils sustain over half the Indian population

Alluvial soil is the most crucial and pervasive kind of soil found in India. It covers forty
per cent of the total land area. In fact the complete Northern Plains are made up of these
soils. They have been brought down and deposited by three enormous Himalayan rivers,
such as Sutlej River, Ganga River and Brahmaputra River, and their tributaries. Through a
tapered outlet in the state of Rajasthan, they continue into the plains of Gujarat.

. Alluvial soil is found mostly in the plains, like Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab,
Orissa and Tamil Nadu. Alluvial soil is predominant in the Narmada valleys, along
Mahanadi, Tapti, Cauvery and Godawari etc.

Black Soil in India

Origin: black soil is also called regur These soils are formed in situ, i.e., formed where they
are found. These soils have originated from solidification of basic lava spread over large
areas of Deccan plateau during volcanic activity. Therefore, they are essentially formed by
weathering of Deccan Trap. Most of the black soils are derived from two types of rocks,
the Deccan and Rajmahal trap, and ferruginous gneisses and schists occring in Tamil nadu.
The former are sufficiently deep while the later are generally shallow.

Geographically black soil spreads over an area of 5,46,000 Km

Black soils are ideal for dry farming due to their moisture retentive quality.
It becomes sticky due to high percentage of clay and so difficult to plough.

Black soils are further classified in to Shallow black soils, medium black soils and deep
black soils.

These soils are further classified in to Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra Karnataka Tamil
Nadu, Rajasthan and Uttar pradesh

The soil develop cracks in hot weather. They have high moisture retention level.

They lack in phosphorus, nitrogen and organic matter.The black colour of the soil is due to
the presence of titaniferous magnetite compound of iron and aluminum silicate. The black
color of the soil may even be derived from crystalline schists and basic gneisses such as in
Tamil nadu and parts of Andra Pradesh. .
These are rich in iron, lime, calcium and magnesium carbonate .Black soils are poor
phosphorous and nitrogen.
The soil is clayey and fine texture with dark color Crops: cotton, wheat, chilies, linseed,
jowar, Virginia tobacco, castor, millets.
Apart from cotton cultivation, these fertile soils are suitable for growing cereals, oilseeds,
citrus fruits and vegetables, tobacco and sugarcane.

Red Soil in India

Origin: They are mainly formed due to the decomposition of ancient crystalline rocks like
granites and gneisses and from rock types rich in minerals such as iron and magnesium.
Red soils develop generally on metamorphic rocks. The term ‘red soil’ is due to the wide
diffusion of iron oxides through the materials of the soil. It covers about 3.5 lakh km of
area

The color is mainly due to ferric oxides occurring as thin coatings on the soil particles
while the iron oxide occurs as haematite or as hydrous ferric oxide, the color is red and
when it occurs in the hydrate form as limonite the soil gets a yellow color. It is sandier and
less clayey.

When red soils are mixed with clay fractions we call them as Red clayey loams.

It is rich in potash. These soils are poor in phosphorus, nitrogen and lime contents and are
acidic like laterite.

The red soil respond well to the proper use of fertilizers and irrigation gives excellent
yield.
Suitable for rice, millets, tobacco and vegetables (also groundnuts and potatoes at higher
elevations).

These soils are spread on almost the whole Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, parts of Karnataka,
Southern Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Chotanagpur plateau of
Jharkhand. Scattered patches can be found in Birbhum (W.Bengal), Mirzapur, Jhansi,
Banda, Hamirpur (U.P), Udaipur, Chiltisgarh, Dungarpur, Banswara and Bhilwara dist.
(Rajasthan).

Laterite Soil in India

Origin: the word Laterite in Latin means Brick. These soils are formed under
conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall with alternate wet and dry periods.
Thus, its formation takes place strictly under monsoon conditions. The alterations of
wet and dry season leads to the leaching away of siliceous matter and lime of the rocks and
a soil rich in oxides of iron and aluminium compounds
Laterite and lateritic soil covers an area about 2.48 lakh km

The Laterite soil found in India is mainly red in colour due to the presence of iron oxides.
It is prepared by the prolonged and rigorous weathering of the parent rock. Laterisation or
tropical weathering is a long-drawn-out process of chemical and mechanical weathering
which results in a large variety in the chemistry, grade, thickness and ore mineralogy of the
ensuing soils. Laterite soils are rich in aluminium and iron oxides, but are deficient in
potash, phosphoric acid, lime and nitrogen.

Laterite is a typical soil of the tropical regions which receives heavy seasonal rainfall.
Iron and aluminum compounds dominate in its composition.

Laterite soil in India is mainly found capping the flat uplands, and is also spread in the
western coastal region, getting incredibly heavy rain. Lateritic soils are also abundant in
area along the edge of the plateau in the east, covering small parts of the states of Tamil
Nadu and Orissa and a small portion of the Chota Nagpur Plateau in the north and Meghalaya

Laterite soil is primarily found in the tropical regions which receive heavy seasonal
rainfall. High rainfall encourages the leaching of soil where lime and silica are leached
away and a soil rich in oxides of aluminium predominate and abundance laterite is called
bauxite. Due to the presence of iron oxides the colour of laterite soil is basically red. This
soil is poor in lime content and hence it is acidic

Humus is almost absent in this type of soil. However, in the laterite soil developed in the
forested areas in the western part of Karnataka state, humus is present. Further, laterite soils
of high level areas are very poor and least retentive of moisture and at times barren. But, in
the low lying areas, regular addition of soils that are washed down from the adjacent higher
areas affects lateritisation. In those areas, the lateritic soil being either mud or loam is
useful and is regularly ploughed. For the continuous cultivation of crops, regular
application of fertilizers is required.

. Laterite soils are found on the high level plateau and hilly areas that receive high rainfall
and are specifically well developed on the Eastern Ghats in Orissa. Rajmahal hill, It is also
found in the southern regions of the Western Ghats including the adjoining coastal regions
in Ratnagiri District and Malabar. Maharashtra, Kerala, Orissa, Karnataka, West Bengal, Tamil
Nadu, Assam, etc. Laterite soil is also widely found around the Satpura, Vindhyan Plateau,
Maikal and Mahadeo ranges in Madhya Pradesh.

Laterite and lateritic soil have a unique distinction of providing valuable building
material. These soils can be easily cut with a spade but hardens like iron when exposed to
air. Because it is the end product of weathering. It cannot be weathered much further and is
indefinitely durable. `

The soils are generally poor in nitrogen, potassium and organic matters. these soils cannot
retain moisture while in plains they consist of heavy loam and clay and
easily retain moisture.
Crops: rice, ragi, sugarcane, cashew nuts.

Mountain Soils in India

Such soils are mainly found on the hill slopes covered by forests. The formation of these
soils is mainly governed by the characteristic deposition of organic matter derived from
forest growth.

In the Himalayan region, such soils are mainly found in valley basins, depressions and less
steeply inclined slopes. Apart from the Himalayan region, the forest soils occur in higher
hills in south and the peninsular region.

The basic character of the mountain soils depend on the climate and are mainly found in
the warm temperate belt or the cool temperate belt of the Himalaya Mountains. Brown
forest soil is mainly found in the warm temperate belt lying at heights ranging from 900 to
1800 metres, which has deciduous forests. This belt comprises enough warmth for
decomposition of vegetation. The typical brown forest soil of this zone is rich in humus
and is deep. Further, mountains soils are rich in humus, slightly acidic and are fertile.
Mountains soils are also deprived in lime and potash content. They are largely used for
raising different varieties of crops. Alpine meadow soil is a dark colored thin soil mainly
found in the Alpine zone of the Himalayan Mountain range. It is basically sandy and
contains un-decomposed plants.

Mountain soils are deficient in nitrogen content. This mineral is very significant to a
healthy soil. Quality and quantity of mountain soil is already compromised as a result of
the instable pattern of monsoon rainfall. However, soil formation is quite slow in mountain
areas because of the low temperatures. Thus, mountain soils are comparatively thin and are
badly anchored.

The Very rich in humus but are deficient in Potash, phosphorous and lime and needs
fertilizers.

And it is good for plantation of tea, coffee, spices and tropical fruits.

Forest soils in India

Forest soils are a natural body having depth and surface area. It exists as a continuous
cover on the land surface. Only exceptions are steep slopes. The climate of a place affects
the forest soils in many different ways. It has led to the development of a variety of soils in
India. Essentially, soil is the product of natural destructive and synthetic forces. The
physical and chemical weathering of rocks and minerals forms unconsolidated debris
regolith. Its upper part is bio-chemically weathered.

The soils found in the different parts of the country are a function of several factors-
climatic, biotic, geomorphic etc. The major soils in Western Zone are dry, sandy and
usually unstable. The sand is mounded up by wind in typical dune forms. This happens on
the plains of the Indus valley. This also occurs in areas west of Aravalli Mountain Ranges.

In the Northern and Central Zones, the soils seen are recent sandy alluvium to red soils in-
situ. Laterite and black cotton soils are met in forests of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Maharashtra and Orissa. Forests in Indo Gangetic Plain have alluvial soils. Forests of
Shivalik formations in Sub-Himalayan tracts and foot hills have developed on sandy or
clayey soils. These soils are deep and reasonably fertile.

In the Southern Zone, the soils under forests have originated from a wide range of
geological formations and rocks. The soil is almost always shallow and dry. Occasionally
it may be of fair depth. This is specially so if the soil is sandy. Black cotton soils dominate
in some parts. Hard Lateritic soils are encountered in the eastern parts. Red soil overlay a
variety of rocks. Most of them are crystalline. The soils seen in the Western Ghats Mountain
Range in India have originated from crystalline rocks.

Soils are acidic. Mineral nutrients concentrate in surface layers. Leaf fall deposits a large
amount of organic matter on the forest floor. This maintains the nutrient status. Nutrient
cycling is fast. Removal of forest cover quickly drops soil fertility seriously and
permanently.

Arid and Desert Soils

A large part of the arid and semi-arid region in Rajasthan and adjoining areas of Punjab
and Haryana lying between the Indus and the Aravallis receiving less than 50 cm of annual
rainfall is affected by desert conditions.

It covers an area of 1.42 lakh sq km. the sand is originated from the mechanical
disintegration of the ground rocks or is blown from the Indus basin and the coast by the
prevailing south west mansoon winds. Clay content is poor and is less than 8%.

These are reddish brown. Sandy soils are called Bhur. And it is rich in phosphates and
poor in nitrogen.
Contains high content of soluble salts but low moisture content. The soil is sandy to
gravelly.

The phosphate content of these soils is as high as in normal alluvial soils. Nitrogen is
originally low but its deficiency is made up to some extent by the availability of nitrogen in
the form of nitrates. Thus the presence of phosphates and nitrates make them fertile soils
wherever moisture is available.

The changes in the cropping pattern in the Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area are a living
example of the utility of the desert soils.
Desert soils constitute the soils with negligible vegetation in both hot and cold regimes.
The sandy material results in poor profile development under arid conditions. Water
deficiency is the major constraint in cultivating these soils. A gypsic horizon is common in
extremely arid areas such as Bikaner and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. These soils are very
prone to wind erosion.

Saline and Alkaline Soils

The causes of soil alkalinity are natural or they can be man-made.

1. The natural cause is the presence of soil minerals producing sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)
upon weathering.
2. The man-made cause is the application of irrigation water (surface or ground water)
containing a relatively high proportion of sodium bicarbonates.

Saline and Alkaline Soils covers an area of 68,000 km

These soils are found in the drier parts of Bihar, Up Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and
Maharashtra, are the salt-impregnated or alkaline soils. And are known by different names:
Reh, kallar, usar, etc.

Soil alkalinity is associated with the presence of sodium carbonates or (soda) (Na 2CO3) in
the soil, either as a result of natural weathering of the soil particles or brought in by
irrigation and/or flood water.

The sodium carbonate can react with water to produce carbon dioxide which escapes as a
gas, and sodium hydroxide which is alkaline (or rather basic) and gives high pH values
(which is greater than

9). Some of the salts are transported in solution by the rivers and canals, which percolates
in the sub-soils of the plains.

Texturally they are sandy to loamy sand.Alkaline soils are deficient in calcium and
nitrogen.
Main salts present in the soils are calcium, sodium and magnesium these soils can be
reclaimed by providing good drainage applying lime or gypsum and cultivating salt
resistant crops (like rice and sugarcane)

These soils are utilized in the cultivation of a wide variety of crops like rice, wheat, cotton,
sugarcane and tobacco etc.

The accumulation of salts makes the soil infertile and renders it unfit for agriculture.
Alkaline soils are difficult to take into agricultural production. Due to the low infiltration
capacity, rain water stagnates on the soil easily and, in dry periods, irrigation is hardly
possible. Agriculture is limited to crops tolerant to surface water logging (e.g. rice, grasses)
and the productivity is low.

Peaty and Marshy Soils

Originate in the humid regions as a result of accumulation of large amounts of organic

matter in the soil. They contain considerable amounts of soluble salts and 10 – 40% of
organic matter.

Peaty soils are found in Kerala, where it is called Kari.

These soils occur mainly in the western parts of Kottayam districts and parts (peaty) of
Alappuzha dist. of Kerala. Peaty Soils are black and heavy and highly acidic.

Highly saline, rich in organic matter but deficient in phosphate and potash.

Marshy soils are found in the coastal regions of Orissa, W.Bengal and Tamil Nadu;
Central portion of North Bihar and in Almora district of Uttaranchal.
Marshy soils are the result of water logging anaerobic condition of the soils, and the
presence of iron and varying amount of organic matter.

Marshy soils, high in vegetable matter, and are found in northern Bihar, coastal parts of
Orissa, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal

CONCLUSION:
The Indian soils have been formed under varied geographical conditions and differ widely
in their physical properties, chemical composition and fertility level. most soils are old and
mature. Soils of the peninsular plateau are much older than the soils of the great northern
plain. Some soils like alluvial and black soils are fertile. While some other soils such as
laterite, desert and alkaline soils lack in fertility and do not yield good harvest.