Soils of India - Indian Geography
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Soils of India - Indian Geography |
Indian council of agricultural research (ICAR) has divided Indian soils into eight major groups .
ALLUVIAL SOIL
1.
They are by far the largest and the most important
soil group of India. They are composed of sediments deposited by rivers and
waves. Their chemical composition makes them one of the most fertile in the
world. Usually deficient in nitrogen and humus ( the fertilizers are needed).
2.
2. Occupy the plains ( from Punjab to Assam) and
also occur in the valleys of Narmada and Tapti in MP and Gujrat, Mahanandi in the MP and Orisa, Godawari IN
A.P and Cauvery in Tamilnadu.
3.
Can be divided into Khadar(NEW ) and
Bhangar(older, more clayey and kankary) alluvium.
BLACK SOIL
1.
Also called Regur and is ideal for cotton crops.
These soils have been formed due to the solidification of lava spread over large areas during volcanic activity in the
Deccan Plateau. Thousands of years ago.
2.
They are black due to compounds of iron and
aluminum ( also because of titaniferous magnetite).
3.
Mainly found in Deccan Plateau – Maharashtra,
Gujarat, Madhyapradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Naru.
4.
Apart from cotton cultivation, these fertile
soils are suitable for growing cereals, oilseeds, citrus fruits and
vegetables, tobacco and sugarcane.
5.
They have high moisture retention level.
6.
Lack in
phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter,
RED SOIL
1.
They are mainly formed due to the decomposition of
ancient crystalline rocks lie granites and gneisses and from rock types rich in
minerals such as iron and magnesium. the term red soil is due to the wide
diffusion of iron oxides through the materials of the soils.
2.
Covers almost the whole of Tamil Naru, Karnataka
, Andhra Pradesh, southeast Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, parts of Orissa, Jharkhand, and Bundelkhand.
3.
Generally deficient in nitrogen, humus, and phosphorous, but rich in potash.
4.
Suitable for rice, millets, tobacco, and
vegetables ( also groundnuts and potatoes at higher elevations.)
LATERITE SOIL
1.
Found in typical monsoon conditions – under the condition
of high temperature and heavy rainfall with alternate wet and dry periods. The
alterations of the wet and dry season lead to the leaching away of siliceous
matter and lime of the rocks and a soil rich in oxides of iron and aluminum
compounds is left behind.
2.
Found in parts of westers ghat, eastern ghats , Rajmahal hills, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala. Orissa, West Bengal,
Assam, Tamil naru, etc.
3.
Poor in nitrogen and minerals.
4.
Best for tea coffee rubber, cinchona, coco ut
and suitable for rice and millet cultivation if manured.
FOREST AND MOUNTAIN SOIL
1.
Such soils are mainly found on the hill slopes
covered by forest. the formation of these soils is mainly governed by the
characteristic deposition of organic matter derived from forest growth.
2.
In the Himalayan region such soils are mainly
found in valley basins, depressions and less steeply inclined slopes. apart
from the Himalayan regions the forest soils occur in the higher hills in the south
an the peninsular region.
3.
3. Very rich in humus but are deficient in
potash. phosphorous and lime and needs fertilizers.
4.
Plantation of tea, coffer spices and tropical
fruits.
ARID AND DESERT SOILS
1.
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 Aravalli receiving less than 50 cm of annual rainfall is affected by desert
conditions.
2.
The area is covers by a mantle of sand which
inhibits soil growth.
3.
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.
4.
The changes in the cropping pattern in the
Indira Gandhi canal command area a living example of the utility of the
desert soil.
SALINE AND ALKALINE SOILS
1.
In the drier parts of Bihar, up Haryana .,
Panjab Rajasthan an Maharashtra are the salt impregnated or alkaline soils. Known
by different names reh , kallar , usar, etc.
2.
Some of the salts are transported in solution by
the rivers and canals, which percolates in the subsoils of the plains.
3.
The accumulation of salts makes the soil
infertile and renders it unfit for agriculture.
PEATY AND MARSHY SOILS
1.
Originate in the humid regions as a result of the accumulation of large amounts
of organic matter in the soil. They contain considerable amounts of soluble
salts and 10-40% of organic matter.
2.
Peaty soils are found in Kottayam and Alappuzha
districts of Kerala, where it is called Kari.
3.
Marshy soils high in vegetable matter, are found
in northern Bihar, coastal parts of Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and
parts of Uttar Pradesh.
T
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