Know which Type of Soil is Suitable for which Type of Crops

This article is all about the soils and their usefulness for the crops. This is a part of the general awareness section of many competitive exams. In this article, you will learn about the soil, types of soil, which soil is found where, characteristics of that soil, and many more. 

What is Soil?

Soil, often known as earth or dirt, is the combination of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and living organisms that supports life.
In addition to a porous layer that contains water and gases (the soil atmosphere), soil consists a solid layer made up of minerals and organic matter (the soil solution). It is also referred to as the outermost layer of the earth’s crust where most of the life sustain.

In India, there are different types of soils being found. Each type of soil has unique qualities that make it suited for growing a certain crop.

Let’s discuss it them one by one.

1.   Alluvial Soil : 

Most of the North India’s delta regions have this kind of soil. It encompasses more than 35% of all Indian territory. This kind of soil is blend of sand, loam and clay. Its characteristics include rapid drainage, an abundance of humus (organic matter), phosphoric acid, and sparseness of potash and nitrogen. The crops which are basically grown in this kind of soil is Tobacco, green and black gram, chickpeas, pigeon peas, soybeans, sesame, groundnuts, linseed, cotton, wheat, sorghum, bajra, maize, barley, jute, soybeans, and any kind of oilseed, fruit, or vegetable. 

2.   Black Soil : 

Cotton soils and Regur Soils are other names for black soils. These soils are primarily found in the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, which is part of the Deccan lava tract. This type of soil is primarily found in the Godavari, Krishna, Narmada, and Tapi river valleys. Weathering of the lava rocks results in the formation of black soils. 

Aluminum, magnesium, lime, and iron are all abundant in black soil. They lack humus, nitrogen, and phosphorus, though (organic matter). Typically, different salts or humus during soil formation give this soil its black colour. In hilly parts of the country, black soils are also sandy but contain a lot of clay. When black soil is wet, it becomes sticky, and when it is dry, it develops large cracks. Cotton is the most grown crop in black soil.  Wheat, cereals, rice, jowar, sugarcane, linseed, sunflower, peanut, tobacco, millets, citrus fruits, all varieties of oilseed crops, and vegetables are among the additional crops.

3.  Red and Yellow Soil :

This type of soil is found in some parts of Chhattisgarh, the Deccan plateau, Orissa, and the Western Ghats. Due to the presence of iron oxide, these soils are red in colour. These are the results of metamorphic rocks weathering. These soils are sandy, mildly acidic, and potash-rich. However, they lack significantly in organic matter, phosphorus, magnesium, nitrogen, and lime (humus).
Under optimal irrigation, it is possible to cultivate rice, wheat, sugarcane, maize/corn, groundnut, ragi (finger millet), potato, oilseeds, pulses, millets, and fruits including mango, orange, and citrus as well as vegetables.

4.  Laterite Soil :

Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, and Assam regions have this type of soil. These soils lack humus (organic matter), phosphate, nitrogen, and calcium and are naturally acidic. Iron content in laterite soils is very high. Although not particularly nutritious, this soil is used to grow cotton, rice, wheat, pulses, coffee, coconuts, cashews, rubber, and cashews. It is also used to cultivate rice. Due to the high levels of iron present, this soil is typically utilised to create bricks.

5. Arid Soil : 

This type of soil is found in West Aravalli. Arid soil are mainly Sandy and low-clay. Because of high evaporation in arid regions, these soils are lacking in humus and moisture. Due to their high salt content and low nitrogen content, arid soils have a salty character. They are abundant in plant food.  Arid soils come in a variety of colours, from red to brown. Any crop that can withstand salty and dry conditions can be grown, including wheat, cotton, corn (maize), millets, pulses, and barley.

6.  Forest and Mountain Soil :

This type of soil is present in several areas of the peninsular plateau, the Western and Eastern Ghats, and the Himalayan region. Although this type of soil is rich in humus, it is deficient in other nutrients like potash, phosphorus, and lime. These soils have a moderately acidic pH. Good fertilizers must be supplemented for crops grown on these soils. These soils are suitable for growing tropical and temperate fruits as well as wheat, maize, barley, coffee, tea, and spices.

7. Desert Soil : 

Some parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch, the neighboring areas of Haryana and Punjab, as well as the coastal regions of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Orissa include this type of soil. It encompasses around 4% of all Indian territory. A small quantity of nitrogen is found in the dry, sandy soil. Only plants able to withstand drought are suited. Barley and millet are two such crops that can be grown in this type of soil.

Note : 
Except these 7 types of soil there are other types of soils available in India like saline and alkaline soil, marshy and peaty soil. Alkaline and Saline soils are high in salt and low in nutrients.  Due to their highly acidic character, peaty and marshy soils are not ideal for agricultural cultivation. Peaty soils are rich in organic matter and have a high salt concentration (humus). They lack minerals like phosphate and potash.