Types of soil

• Alluvial Soil

  This type of soil is spread over about 43% of the total area of India. It is found in the northern plain from the Brahmaputra valley in the east upto Satluj in the west and in the delta regions of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri rivers. The formation of alluvial soil is due to alluvial deposition by the rivers. There is more proportion of potash, phosphoric acid and limestone in the soil and there is less proportion of nitrogen and humus. If pulses are grown in this soil, the nitrogen content can be stabilised. Crops like wheat, paddy, sugarcane, jute, cotton, maize, oil seeds etc. can be grown in this soil.
• Map

  • Punjab for alluvial soil
• Red Soil

  It occupies about 19% of the total land of India. It is spread from Tamil Nadu in the peninsular India upto Bundelkhand in the north, and from Rajmahal Hills in the east upto Kachchh in the west. Such soil is found in some parts of Rajasthan. The soil is red in colour due to the presence of ferric oxide, and it becomes yellow as we go down. Lime, gravel and carbonate are not found in this soil. There is a deficiency of lime, magnesium, phosphet, nitrogen and potash in this soil. Crops like millet, cotton, wheat, jowar, linseed, groundnut, potato etc. are grown in this soil.
• Map

  • Assam for red soil
• Black Soil

  Black or Regur soil covers about 15% of the total area of India. This soil was formed due to the spreading of Deccan lava. Such soil is found in entire Maharashtra, Western Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and certain part of Karnataka. In Gujarat, Surat, Bharuch, Narmada, Vadodara, Tapi and Dang districts have this type of soil. Lava rocks and climate play an important role in the formation of such soil. There is more proportion of iron, lime, calcium, potash, aluminium and magnesium carbonates in this type of soil. It is considered to be quite fertile. This soil also has the capacity of retaining more moisture. Whenever the moisture dries up, they develop fissures. Crops like cotton, linseed, mustard, groundnut, tobacco and udad are grown in this soil. As it is more suitable to the cotton, the soil is also known as Black Cotton soil.
• Laterite Soil

  The name "Laterite" is derived from the latin word "Later" which means a brick. Its red colour is due to the iron oxide. When this soil becomes wet, it becomes smooth like butter and when it is dry, it becomes very hard. It is formed due to the change of dry and moist climate and prevention of silica based material. This soil has developed in the higher area of peninsular plateau of India. The soil contains more of iron, potash and aluminium. The soil is less fertile, but cotton, paddy, ragi, sugarcane, tea, coffeee, cashew etc. can be grown after using fertilizers.
• Desert Soil


  Soil seen in arid or semi-arid climate, sandy and infertile, contains more dissolved minerals. Found in Rajasthan, Haryana, Southern Punjab, Kachchh and parts of Saurashtra in Gujarat. Crops like millet and jowar can be cultivated with irrigation.
• Mountain Soil


  Soil found in valley and sloppy regions of Himalayas at 2700-3000 metres altitude, very thin and underdeveloped. Found in Assam, Darjeeling, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir, generally in regions of pine and chid trees.
• Forest Soil


  Soil found in coniferous forests of Himalayas, Sahyadri, Eastern Ghats and Terai region of Himalayas at 3000-3100 metres altitude. Surface is covered by shaded leaves, upper part becomes black due to increased humus from decaying leaves, changes to blue or red colour deeper down. Suitable for tea, coffee, spices, wheat, maize, barley, paddy.
• Marshy or Peaty Soil


  Soil that develops in humid regions due to accumulation of biotic elements. Submerged during rainy season, paddy can be grown when water recedes. Excess of biotic elements and minerals but deficient in phosphate and potash. Found in Odisha, West Bengal, Coastal Tamil Nadu, Central Northern Bihar, Almoda district of Uttarakhand. Limited extent.