Major Types of Soils found in India

Types of soils in India

Alluvial soil constitutes of 42 % of the total soil area in India.
It is formed as a result of deposition of rivers and thus it is more fertile and rich in organic material.
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.
Alluvial Soil is best for crops like - Wheat, Rice, Cotton, Jute, Barley, Corn, Oilseed, Coffee, Potatoes, Chili, Cloves etc.

Black soil constitutes of 15% of the total soil area in India.
It is formed as a result of weathering of lava rocks of Deccan plateau and thus rich in Iron, magnesium, Silica, Lime and potash.
It has high clay content and has high water retaining property.
Black Soil is found in plenty in the states - Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh.
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.

Red soil constitutes 25 % of the total soil area in India and is the most widely spread soil.
It is formed a s a result of erosion of Granite and Gneissic rocks.
It is rich in Iron, phosphate, lime, potash and humus and supports wide crop diversity.
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.
Red Soil is best for crops like - Cotton, Wheat, Pulses, Tobacco, Jowar, Linseed, Millet, Potatoes and Some Fruits etc.

Laterite soil constitutes 4.5 % of the total soil area in India and is the most acidic soil.
It gets quickly eroded on deforestation, mining and plantation.
It is not suitable for agriculture but suitable for special crops like tapioca and cashew.
Major areas of laterite soil in India is Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Meghalaya, West Bengal .
Laterite soils is best for crops like Tea, Coffee, Coconuts, Rice, Wheat, Cotton, Maize, Sugarcane, Jute Oil Seeds, Millets, Pulses etc.

Mountain soil is a thin layer of soil formed under cold humid climate.
It is not suitable for agriculture but suits best for forestry.
The humus content is high in this soil due to the climate.
Major areas of mountain soils in India are - Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam.
Mountain Soil is best for crops like Coffee, Tea, Wheat, Maize, Blueberries, Saffron etc.

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

These are black coloured, heavy and highly acidic soils.
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.
Major areas of Peaty and Marshy soils are - Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttaranchal.
This soil is best for crops like Rice, Oilseeds, Citrus, Tobacco, Sugarcane etc.

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