KERALA PSC / INDIAN GEOGRAPHY / SOILS IN INDIA / NOTES / OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS / STUDY MATERIALS / GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

 

KERALA PSC / INDIAN GEOGRAPHY / SOILS IN INDIA / NOTES / OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS / STUDY MATERIALS / GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

KERALA PSC / INDIAN GEOGRAPHY / SOILS IN INDIA / NOTES / OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS / STUDY MATERIALS / GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Soils in India display wide diversity because of the variations in the climate and relief

 

ALLUVIAL SOIL

·      Alluvial soil contributing the largest share, is derived from the sediments deposited by the rivers.

·      They are agriculturally the most important soils

·      They are mainly found in central plains extending from Punjab to Assam, Coastal plains and deltaic region.

·      Finer and newer alluvium: Khadar

·      Older alluvium: Bangar

·      Alluvial soils are rich in potash and poor in nitrogen and organic matter.

·      Alluvial soils are devoted to the cultivation of wheat rice, pulses, sugarcane, jute, oilseeds, fodder etc…..

 

BLACK SOIL

·      Black soil is found largely in the Deccan plateau.

·      Black soil is suitable for the cultivation of cotton and therefore it is called black cotton soil.

·      Also known as regur soils.

·      Regur soils varies in colour from black to chest-nut brown.

·      Black soils are rich in iron, lime and aluminum content but deficient in nitrogen, phosphate and humus.

·      Black soils have high moisture retention capacity.

·      Black soils are well known for their fertility. They become sticky when wet due to high percentage of clay and develop cracks in hot sunny weather.

 

RED SOIL

·      Red soil is formed by the weathering of ancient metamorphic and crystalline rocks.

·      They are airy and need irrigation support for cultivation. Red soil is suitable for the cultivation of pulses and coarse grains.

·      Red soils are poor in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic matter.

·      They are more suitable for the cultivation of rice, ragi, tobacco and vegetable.

·      The colour is red because of the presence of iron oxides

·      Mainly found in the Peninsular India and hilly states of North East India.

 

LATERITE SOIL

·      Laterite soils are formed by the weathering of laterite rocks.

·      They are rich in oxides of iron and aluminium

·      Laterite soils are deficient in nitrogen, potash, and lime content.

·      They are chiefly found in Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Malabar areas.

·      These soils are agriculturally unimportant because of intensive leaching, low base exchange capacity and their acidic nature.

·      These are the typical soil of the tropical regions with heavy seasonal rainfall and alternative dry season.

·      These soils provide valuable building materials.

 

FOREST SOIL

·      Forest soils are formed by the deposition of organic matter derived from forests. They are rich in organic matter and humus but deficient in potash, phosphorous and lime. They are found mainly in Punjab, Karnataka, Manipur and Jammu & Kashmir.

·      These soils are used for plantations of tea, coffee, spices and fruits.

 

ARID AND DESERT SOILS

·      Arid and Desert soils are formed under arid and semi-arid conditions in the north-western parts of the country. They are rich in phosphate though poor in nitrogen.

·      These soils often have a high soluble salt content and very low humus content.

·      These soils are made fertile by adding gypsum

·      These soils are found in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Rann of Kutch and other rain – shadows regions.

·      They support very few crops, especially Millets, Jowar, Bajra are grown which demand lesser water supply.

 

SALINE AND ALKALINE SOILS

·      Saline and Alkaline soils are salt impregnated and infertile. These soils are found especially in the dry tracts of the north.

·      Alkaline soils are deficient in calcium and nitrogen and are highly impervious and have very low water holding capacity.

·      These soils are found in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, UP and Bihar.

·      Major crops planted in this type of soils are Rice, Wheat, cotton, sugarcane, tobacco etc.. when supported by irrigation.

 

PEATY SOILS

·      Peaty soils are developed under humid conditions as a result of the accumulation of large amounts of organic matter. These soils are highly saline and rich in organic matter.

·      It is black in colour and heavy in weight. This soil is acidic in nature, deficient in phosphate and potash.

·      This soil is found in Kottayam and Alappuzha districts of Kerala, where they are called Kari.

·      When the rain cease they are put under paddy cultivation.

·      It also occurs in the northern Bihar, Southern Uttaranchal (Almora district) and coastal areas of West Bengal, Orissa and Tamil Nadu.

KERALA PSC / INDIAN GEOGRAPHY / SOILS IN INDIA / NOTES / OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS / STUDY MATERIALS / GENERAL KNOWLEDGE