Types of soils in India

Types of soils in India
1. Alluvial Soil
2. Black Soil
3. Red Soil
4. Laterite Soil
5. Mountain Soil
6. Saline - Alkaline Soil
7. Desert Soil
8. Peaty and Marshy Soil
1. Alluvial Soil
o Alluvial soil constitutes of 42 % of the total soil area in India.

o It is formed as a result of deposition of rivers and thus it is more fertile
and rich in organic material.
o Alluvial Soil is found in plenty in the states - Uttar Pradesh, West
Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Punjab, Haryana and Brahmaputra Valley in
Assam etc. of India.
o Alluvial Soil is best for crops like - Wheat, Rice, Cotton, Jute, Barley,
Corn, Oilseed, Coffee, Potatoes, Chili, Cloves etc.
2. Black Soil
o Black soil constitutes of 15% of the total soil area in India.

o It is formed as a result of weathering of lava rocks of Deccan plateau
and thus rich in Iron, magnesium, Silica, Lime and potash.
o It has high clay content and has high water retaining property.
o Black Soil is found in plenty in the states - Maharashtra, Gujarat,
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh.
o Black Soil is best for crops like - Mulberry Cotton Plant Ground Nut,
Chili, Cotton, Tobacco, Chili, Oil Seeds, Jowar, Ragi, Maize, Castor,
Sugarcane, Safflower etc.
3. Red Soil
o Red soil constitutes 25 % of the total soil area in India and is the most
widely spread soil.
o It is formed a s a result of erosion of Granite and Gneissic rocks.
o It is rich in Iron, phosphate, lime, potash and humus and supports wide
crop diversity.
o Major areas of Red soil in India is - Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Madhya
Pradesh, Gujarat, Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh,
Himachal Pradesh.
o Red Soil is best for crops like - Cotton, Wheat, Pulses, Tobacco,
Jowar, Linseed, Millet, Potatoes and Some Fruits etc.
4. Laterite Soil
o Laterite soil constitutes 4.5 % of the total soil area in India and is the
most acidic soil.
o It gets quickly eroded on deforestation, mining and plantation.
o It is not suitable for agriculture but suitable for special crops like
tapioca and cashew.
o Major areas of laterite soil in India is Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh,
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Meghalaya, West Bengal .
o Laterite soils is best for crops like Tea, Coffee, Coconuts, Rice, Wheat,
Cotton, Maize, Sugarcane, Jute Oil Seeds, Millets, Pulses etc.
5. Mountain Soil
o Mountain soil is a thin layer of soil formed under cold humid climate.
o It is not suitable for agriculture but suits best for forestry.
o The humus content is high in this soil due to the climate.
o Major areas of mountain soils in India are - Jammu & Kashmir,
Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam.
o Mountain Soil is best for crops like Coffee, Tea, Wheat, Maize,
Blueberries, Saffron etc.
6. Saline and Alkaline Soil
o Saline-Alkaline soil is found in canal areas.

o In moderate arid condition, calcification occurs and in extreme arid
conditions, salinity occurs.
o Major areas of Saline and Alkaline soils in India are - Rajasthan, Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra etc.
o The soil is best for crops like Seem, Rice, Sugarcane, Fruits, Spices
etc.
7. Desert Soil
o Desert soil is sandy and loose soil.

o Due to its coarse structure, the water holding capacity is very less.
o As it has low nutrients, it is not suitable for agriculture.
o Major areas of Desert soils in India are -Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana,
Punjab
o The soil is best for crops like Xerophytes only.
8. Peaty and Marshy Soil
o These are black coloured, heavy and highly acidic soils.

o When the vegetation growing in such wet places dies, it decomposes
and a layer of partly decayed organic matter accumulates on the
surface, giving rise to such peaty and marshy soils.
o Major areas of Peaty and Marshy soils are - Kerala, Odisha, Tamil
Nadu, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttaranchal.
o This soil is best for crops like Rice, Oilseeds, Citrus, Tobacco,
Sugarcane etc.

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Types of soils in India

o Alluvial soil constitutes of 42 % of the total soil area in India.

o Black soil constitutes of 15% of the total soil area in India.

6. Saline and Alkaline Soil

o Saline-Alkaline soil is found in canal areas.

o Desert soil is sandy and loose soil.

8. Peaty and Marshy Soil

o These are black coloured, heavy and highly acidic soils.

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