Which soil is suitable for agriculture in india

What are the different types of soil found in India?

There are six major type of soil found in india:

• Alluvial Soils
• Black Soils
• Red Soils
• Desert Soils
• Laterite Soils
• Mountain Soils

How many types of soil are there in India?

Types of Soil in India – Peaty and Marshy Soils

• These soils are found in regions of heavy rainfall and high humidity, and it supports the good growth of vegetation.
• Peaty soils are rich in humus and organic matter.
• These soils are generally heavy and black in colour. …
• These are found in southern Uttarakhand, the northern part of Bihar, and the coastal areas of West Bengal, Odisha and Tamil Nadu.

What is the most fertile soil in India?

• Sandy soil. Sandy Soil is light, warm, dry and tend to beacidic and low in nutrients.
• Clay Soil. Clay Soil is a heavy soil type that benefits fromhigh nutrients.
• Silt Soil. Silt Soil is a light and moisture retentive soiltype with a high fertility rating.
• Peat Soil.
• Chalk Soil.
• Loam Soil.

What is the largest soil group in India?

Alluvial Soil: covers largest area (around 40%) in India. Highly Fertile soil. Rich in Organic matter and Potash but deficient in Phosphorous. Color – Light gray to Ash gray. Areas where Present- Northern Plains and River Valleys, some parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, Eastern coast deltas. It contains calcareous formations known as Kankars.

Which is best soil for agriculture in India?

Suitable Crops: Loamy soil is ideal for growing crops such as wheat, sugarcane, cotton, jute, pulses, and oilseeds. Vegetables also grow well in this soil.

Which soil is most suitable for agriculture?

Loamy-textured soilsLoamy-textured soils are commonly described as medium textured with functionally-equal contributions of sand, silt, and clay. These medium-textured soils are often considered ideal for agriculture as they are easily cultivated by farmers and can be highly productive for crop growth.

Which soil is suitable for which crop?

Theory:S.NoType of SoilCrops Grown1Sandy soilHibiscus, Carrot, Corn, Lettuce, Potato, Peppers.2Clayey soilWheat, Broccoli, Cabbage, Gram, Paddy, Lentils and pulses3Loamy soilwheat, sugarcane, cotton, jute, pulses, and oilseeds.

Which soil is best in India?

Alluvial Soils: Alluvial soils are by far the largest and the most important soil group of India. Covering about 15 lakh sq km or about 45.6 per cent of the total land area of the country, these soils contribute the largest share of our agricultural wealth and support the bulk of India’s population.

Is clay soil good for agriculture?

There are several plants that will grow on clay soil. It is good for crops like paddy, which require a lot of water. Clay soil is used for making toys, pots, and many other purposes. Heavy clay soils are slow to warm, so planting early spring crops could not be possible.

Which soil is suitable for agriculture Mcq?

Explanation : Black soils are ideal for cultivation of cotton as they can retain moisture. Cotton cultivation requires high moisture retention. Black soils are very fine grained and dark, contain a high proportion of calcium and magnesium carbonates and highly argillaceous.

Which soil is not suitable for agriculture?

Laterite soil is not suitable for cultivation because it is acidic in nature and does not retain moisture.

Is red soil good for agriculture?

Red sandy loam soil is not good for agriculture because they are not that fertile. These soils are mainly found in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Eastern Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and many other states.

Is laterite soil good for farming?

Laterite soils are good for tea, coffee and cashew cultivation. Laterite soils lack fertility due to intensive leaching. When manured and irrigated, some laterites are suitable for growing plantation crops like tea, coffee, rubber, cinchona, coconut, areca nut, etc.

Which is the most fertile soil in India?

Alluvial soilsAlluvial soils are formed mainly due to silt deposited by Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra rivers. They are the largest soil group covering about 15 lakh sq km or about 6 percent of the total area. They support more than 40% of India’s population by providing the most productive agricultural lands.

What type of soil is used in India?

Here is a short glimpse of the soil types in India, their characteristics, and what crops can be grown in each soil. 1. Alluvial Soil.

What is the most fertile soil in the Ganges?

The most fertile soil of the Ganges. Sandy clay, loamy soil, less “kankary.” River floods deposit new alluvial layer every year.

What is a mix of sandy loam and clay soil?

Mix of sandy loam and clay soil. Quick draining in nature. Rich in humus (organic matter) and phosphoric acid. Poor in potash and nitrogen.

Why are soils red?

The soils are red due to iron oxide in them. The soils form when metamorphic rocks weather away. Rich in potash. Somewhat acidic. Poor in nitrogen, magnesium, lime, phosphorus, and organic matter. Soils are sandy.

How is black soil formed?

These soils are formed when lava rocks weather away. Rich in magnesium, iron, aluminum, and lime. Poor in nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter. Black soils get sticky when fully wet. They develop cracks when fully dry. The soils attain black color due to deposits of humus and salts during their formation. They moisture excellently.

What is acidic soil?

Acidic soils, rich in iron. They are used in the making of bricks due to high iron content. Poor in organic matter, calcium, nitrogen, and phosphate. Not very fertile.

Where is the savanna found?

Found in: Areas of Rajasthan, Rann of Kutch of Gujarat, adjoining regions of Haryana and Punjab, and coastal areas of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Orissa. It covers about 4% of the total Indian land.

What is soil in agriculture?

What is Soil: A soil can be defined as the outermost layer of the earth’s crust which plays a major role in growing food and trees. It contains organisms and also consists of minerals, organic matter (humus), water, gases, and air.

Where can I find black soil?

Mostly, you can find this type of soil in the river valley Godavari, Krishna, Narmada, and Tapi. Black soils are formed due to the weathering of the lava rocks.

What are the characteristics of black soil?

Characteristics – Black soils are rich in iron, lime, magnesium, and aluminum. However, they are poor in phosphorus, nitrogen, and humus (organic matter). Usually, this soil gets its black colour from various salts or from humus during soil formation. Black soils contain a large amount of clay but are sandy as well in hillier regions of the country. Black soils become sticky when wet and develop wide cracks during the dry season.

How is soil formed?

Soil Formation: How the soil formed? well, soil formation is a very long process and actually begins with the weathering of rocks into small fragments. The origin of soil is from rocks (parent material), usually formed when rocks are exposed to the atmosphere in the process of physical and chemical decomposition. Parent material (usually rocks) and the process of soil formation decide the soil properties. The soils in India are divided into 2 broad categories based on their formation.

How can crop growers prevent soil erosion?

Note: Crop growers can prevent soil erosion by providing muck material at the plant basin. Mulch materials like hay, dried leaves can be used. Nowadays, there are plastic mulch materials are available in the market.

Why is arid soil saline?

Arid soils are saline in nature due to the high salt content and poor nitrogen. However, they are rich in plant food. The colour of Arid soils ranges from red to brown. Suitable Crops of Arid Soils – You can grow any drought and saline-tolerant crops such as wheat, cotton, corn (maize), millets, pulses, and barley.

Why is soil red?

Characteristics – These soils are red in color due to the presence of iron oxide. These are formed due weathering of metamorphic rocks. These soils are sandy and somewhat acidic and rich in potash. However, they are very poor in lime, nitrogen, phosphorous, magnesium, organic matter (humus).

What type of soil is found in India?

Types of Soil in India – Alluvial soil. The alluvial soil occurs mainly in the Satluj- Ganga- Brahmaputra Plains. They are also found in the valleys of the Narmada, Tapi, and the Eastern and Western coastal plains. These soils are mainly derived from the debris brown from the Himalayas.

What are the different types of soils in India?

As mentioned before, there are eight types of soils categorized by ICAR but some Indian Soil like – Karewa soil, Sub-Montane Soil, Snowfield, Grey/Brown Soil are all sub-types of main Indian Soil. Let’s read about them one by one:

What is the classification of soil in India?

The first scientific classification of soil was done by Vasily Dokuchaev. In India, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has classified soils into 8 categories. Alluvial Soil, Black Cotton Soil, Red Soil, Laterite Soil, Mountainous or Forest Soils, Arid or Desert Soil, …

What is the soil type of the Himalayas?

These soils have less developed soil profile and are mainly found in the valleys and hill slopes of Himalayas. These soils are immature and dark brown. This soil has very low humus and it is acidic. The orchards, fodder, legumes are grown in this soil.

What is khaddar soil?

Khadar Soil (New): the khadar soils are enriched with fresh silts. They are low lying, frequently inundated by floods during the rainy season. It occupies the flood plains of rivers. The khaddar tracts called as kankar are rich in concentration.

What is the soil above flood level?

Bhangar Soil (Old): This soil lies above the flood level. It is well-drained but because of the calcium carbonate nodules, the texture of soil varies from the loamy soil to clayey soil.

What is black soil used for?

This type of soil is used for rice, wheat, sugarcane, and cotton. It is additionally used to produce groundnut, millet, and oilseeds. Black soil is ideal for growing crops that are cotton, sugarcane, tobacco, wheat, millets, and oilseeds. Black soil is to be the best variety of soil for the cultivation of cotton.

What are the three types of soil?

Soil formation is the combined result of physical, chemical and biological processes under certain environmental conditions. The soil is a combination of biotic and abiotic components. It contains microorganisms, worms, minerals, decaying organic matters, hummus, elements like water and air which altogether makes the soil fertile and source of nutrients. The soil is mainly of three types: sandy soil, clayey soil, and loamy soil. Among this loamy soil is more suitable for farming. An ideal soil for agriculture has the following characteristics: 1 Good water holding capacity 2 Proper aeration 3 Good consistency (texture) 4 Balanced acid and alkaline content 5 Rich in nutrients (micro and macronutrients)

Why is manure used in farming?

After ploughing and levelling, manure is applied to further stages of farming. Manuring is done to replenish the soil with nutrients and thus helps in proper growth of the crop. Soil preparation gives agriculture field which is fertile containing ideal soil and makes it ready for farming.

What is ploughing soil?

Ploughing includes loosening and digging of soil. During ploughing, the soil becomes loose and the nutrients in deep soil come to the top. Also, aeration of soil will increase thus air is available for breathing and roots are easily penetrated between soil.

What are the steps of soil preparation?

In agriculture, ploughing, levelling, and manuring are the three steps of soil preparation. Agriculture: Soil Preparation.

What is soil formation?

Soil formation is the combined result of physical, chemical and biological processes under certain environmental conditions. The soil is a combination of biotic and abiotic components. It contains microorganisms, worms, minerals, decaying organic matters, hummus, elements like water and air which altogether makes the soil fertile and source …

Is soil fertile or loamy?

Soils are of a variety of types, some are loamy and fertile while some are sandy and infertile. Every type of soil is not suitable for every crop. The crops grown in fertile soil will not necessarily give yield, because, for better quality, yield preparation of the soil is essential.

What are the two types of alluvial soils in the Ganga plain?

In the Upper and Middle Ganga plain, two different types of alluvial soils have developed, viz. Khadar and Bhangar. Khadar and Bhangar. Khadar: the newer alluvium deposited by floods annually, enriches the soil by depositing fine silts, light colour, found near river beds, porous in nature.

Where do azonal soils come from?

Formation: They are mainly derived from the debris brought down from the Himalayas or the silt left out by the retreating sea. Thus they are azonal soils.

What is the texture of alluvial soil?

Soil texture: The alluvial soils vary in nature from sandy loam to clay. These soils are more loamy and clayey in the lower and middle Ganga plain and the Brahmaputra valley. The sand content decreases from the west to east.

What is black soil?

Black Soil. These soils are locally known as the ‘Regur Soil’ or the ‘Black Cotton Soil’. Internationally, these are known as ‘tropical chernozems’. These soils are famous for the cultivation of cotton. Formation: These have mainly formed from the Deccan Trap rocks —> Zonal Soils.

How is saline soil formed?

These soils are also formed when saline water spreads on the land at the time of high tide in coastal areas. Also, seawater intrusions in the deltas promote the occurrence of saline soils.

Why is soil black?

Soil Colour: These soils are black in colour due to the presence of iron, aluminium compounds and humus. Other Characteristic Features: These soils are rich in minerals and known for their fertility.

Why is soil reddish brown?

Soil Colour: Reddish-brown in colour due to the presence of iron oxide.

What type of soil is found in Northern India?

Alluvial type of soil is common in Northern India, particularly in the delta regions. These soils are deposited by rivers and are rich in some nutrients (particularly potash and humus), but are lacking in nitrogen and phosphorous. They tend to be sandier and quicker-draining than other soils.

Where is the most fertile soil in India?

Alluvial soils are found in the northern plains of the country and most fertile alluvial soil is found in the Ganga valley, where it is deposited by river Ganges. These soils cover almost 35 to 40% of the region of India.

How are alluvial soils formed?

Alluvial soils are formed by the deposition of sediments by rivers. They are rich in humus and fertile. They are found in Great Northern plain, lower valleys of Narmada, Tapti and Northern Gujarat. These soils are renewed every year. Alluvial soils are by far the largest and the important soil group of India. Covering about 15 lakh sq km or about 45.6 percent of the total land area of the country, these alluvial soils contribute the largest share of our agricultural wealth and support the bulk of India’s population. Materials deposited by rivers, winds, glaciers and sea waves are known as alluvium and soils made up of alluvium are alluvial soils. The old alluviums or Bhangar are clayey and sticky, have a darker color, contain nodules of lime concretions and found to lie on slightly elevated lands. The new alluviums are lighter in color and happen in the deltas and the flood plains.

What type of soil is found in the Ganga plain?

Alluvial soils vary in nature sandy loam to clay. These soils are loamy and clayey in the lower and middle Ganga plain and the Brahmaputra valley. The sand content decreases from the west to east direction.

Why is alluvial soil important?

Alluvial soil in India is an important part of the health and survival of the native population. These soils cover over 45% of the landmass inside India’s borders. These soils are soils deposited by running water and are often located in existing floodplains.

What type of soil is best suited for agriculture?

Before getting into commercial agriculture, you must be aware of crops suitable for alluvial soil. Alluvial soils are mostly flat and regular soils and are best suited for agriculture. Alluvial soils are best suited to the irrigation system and respond well to canal and well or tube-well irrigation.

What is the dark shade of alluvial soil?

These soils cover almost 35 to 40% of the region of India. Alluvial soils are rich in minerals especially potash. They are a dark shade of grey and are extremely appropriate for agriculture. Some dark black alluvial soil can be found in coastal areas. A Guide to Alluvial Soil.