Types of Soils

The soils of India are classified

On the basis of bed rocks and
Climate conditions
.
 Black Soils.
Black soils are mainly found over
Deccan Lava tract inculnding Maharashtra

 These soils have been formed due to

weathering of Lava rocks. These soils are
rich in lime, iron magnesia and alumina.
But these lack in phosphorous, nitrogen
and organic matter. These soils are most
Suitable for cotton.
 2,Red soils. These are found in
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,Andhra
Pardesh.
 These soils have been formed due to
decomposition underlying igneous
rocks.The red colour of these soils is due
to oxidation and diffusion of iron in hard
crystalline rocks. These soils are poor in
 Lime, nitrogen humus.These are given to
 The cultivation of millets,pulses,linseed,
 Tobacco ets.
 3.Laterite soils. Laterite soils are
found on the highland areas of
the plateau.These are found
in Karnataka,Kerala,Tamil Nadu
and hilly area of Assam.

 Due to monsoonal climate,there is leaching

of soils. These are shallow
acidic and less fertile soils.It is useful for
cultivation of foodgrains and other
Crops. Like tea rubber, coffee.These soils are
poor in nitrogen and lime but rich in
Iron.
 Alluvial Soils.

 These soils have been deposited by the rivers in

river valleys of Mahanadi, Godavari Krishna and
 their deltas.These are deep and fertile soils.
 These soils are suitable for cultivation of jute,
rice, sugarcane etc. These soils are rich in
potash, but poor in nitrogen.
 Desert Soils.

 These soils cover dry areas of

Rajasthan,Gujarat, Punjab,Haryana.These
 sandy soils are suited to cultivation of
jowar, bajra, cotton, wheat etc.
 Saline and Alkaline Soils.

 These soils are found in dry areas and

 Are called Thur, Reh and Kallar.
 Peat Soils.

 These marshy soils are found in

Sunerban,Orissa,Tamil Nadu,Bihar and
U.P.It has excess of bacteria and is called
 Blue Peat.
 Mountain Soils.
 These are thin, infertile, stony soils in hilly
areas.It is suitable for tea. It is found in
 Assam, Ladakh, Lahul-Spiti,Darjeeling,
 Dehradun, and Nilgiri.