Soils

• Fertile alluvial soils around the Ganges are perfect for growth of rice
• In south west region of Kerala, deep fertile red soils are found which allow the production of coffee.
• Laterite soils are found in the Eastern and Western Ghats. These soils experience leaching because of heavy rainfall.
• Leaching affects crop growth
• Rice requires fertile alluvial soils, found along the Ganges valley
• Tea is grown in the Assam states in northern India as it requires well drained and aerated red soils.
• Black soils are found in the Deccan Plateau. These soils are formed from the weathered basalt rock.
• Black soil has a high clay content and hold in moisture. A lot of cotton is grown in this region.
• Soils are affected by factors such as Double Cropping - farmers grow one crop in the wet season(e.g. rice)  and another in the dry season(e.g wheat) this can drain the soil of nutrients reducing fertility.
• Monoculture is where the same crop is grown every year. It reduces the nutrients in the soil.
• Irrigation has led to a build up of minerals on the soil
• Salinisation results in saline being deposited in the soil, calcification results in calcium being deposited in the soil. These are impermeable and can prevent plant growth.