Types of Soil : Sandy Soil, Clay Soil, Slit Soil and Loamy Soil

Soil refers to a broad term that means a loose layer of earth that covers the surface of the earth and includes disintegrated rock, inorganic and organic materials, and humus. Changing the form of soil from rock to soil takes 500 years or even more.

When different forces act upon the rocks, they break down into smaller parts to form "soil". The forces also include the force of wind, water, and salt reactions. There are mostly 3 stages of soil, namely:

1. Solid soil
2. Soil with air in the pores
3. Soil with water in the pores

The types of soil are determined based on texture, proportions, and different forms of mineral and organic composition.

Types of Soil

Soil is classified into four types mostly:

Types of Soil Chart

Sandy Soil

Sandy soil consists of minute particles of weathered rocks. Sandy soil has a very coarse structure and is not suitable for the growth of vegetation due to its inability of it to hold water. The nutrition content of this type of very low and thus does not support plant growth. The plants find it very difficult to absorb water. With the addition of compost or fertilizer, it can be used for plant growth. It is easily sported due to its unique appearance. 

Sandy soil is formed due to the breaking down or fragmentation of rocks like limestone, quartz, and granite. They are generally found in areas that have dry climates. In India, it is mainly found in Western Rajasthan, Saurashtra, and the Kutch desert. Most of the desert soil is sandy soil.

Silt Soil

In the case of silt soil, rock particles are much smaller in size when compared to sandy soil. Silt soil mostly consists of rocks and mineral particles. The texture of the soil is smooth and the quality is fine. It has a soapy, silky texture. Silt soil has a higher water-holding capacity than sandy soil. Silt soil is transported by the wind currents and the waves, so they are mostly found in river banks, and lakes. 

Silt soil is very fertile and is considered one of the best for the growth of vegetation. Silt soil is the most fertile in comparison to other types of soil. There is a huge amount of organic material present in this soil which supports plant growth. This type of soil is generally used for agricultural purposes. It is formed when rocks are weathered, or worn away by water or ice. These particles further get smaller in size when they are rubbed against other rocks in the water stream. Almost 35-40 percent of the total soil in India is Silty soil, which explains the large agricultural sector of our country. The banks of all the rivers contain this soil like the Ganga Brahmaputra basin.

Clay Soil

In clay soil, particle size is the smallest as compared to other types of soil. In clay soil, the particles are tightly packed together with each other, there are no air particles present between the soil. Clay soil has the highest water storage capacity. The texture of this soil is very smooth when dry but it is sticky when it is wet. Clay is the densest and heaviest type of soil, whose drainage capacity is poor or provides space for the roots of plants to flourish.

Clay soil is not suitable for vegetation growth even after having great water storage capacity due to its closely packed structure. This closely packed structure makes it difficult for the roots of plants to grow and develop. When it is dry it becomes hard and rocky. This property is the main reason why it is used to make utensils or pots. It is mostly found in the plateaus of Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and along the Krishna and Godavari Valleys.

Loamy Soil

Loamy is the final type of soil. The composition of this soil is very unique as it is formed due to the combination of all the remaining soil types i.e Sand, silt, and clay. Loamy soil is considered the best for the growth of vegetation as it has the most desirable qualities. 

The water-holding capacity of loamy soil is good and the amount of organic matter present in the soil is also considered. This soil is even sometimes referred to as agricultural soil due to its main use and purpose. The Nutrition content of loamy soil is very high and is considered ideal for the growth of plants. The pH level of this soil is slightly high due to the presence of calcium and its inorganic origin. 

Related Links

1. Soil Formation
2. Soil Conservation Methods
3. How Soil affects the vegetation of an area?
4. What are the Important Characteristics of Arid Soil in India?

Overview of Types of Soil

The ground of the earth is not static, keeps on changing over time and is made of many tiny sand granules other times, it is made of hard, rock surface; and in some others, the ground is covered with grass and moss. With the humans coming around, changes in the landscape became evident, like the introduction of roads and railways.

Important Questions and Answers about Types of Soil

1. State the classification of soil.

The soil can be classified mostly into three types on basis of its texture- sandy, silty, and clayey. The percentage of each can vary, leading to more subtypes like loamy sand, sandy clay, etc.

 2. State the characteristics of sandy soil.

Sandy soils are formed by the process of weathering rocks and breaking them into finer particles. It is low in nutrient level and also poor in holding water, which makes it poor for vegetation and agriculture.

3. Explain the significant features of silty soil.

The particles in silt are smaller as compared to sand and are made up of rock and other important mineral particles; holds eater better as compared to sandy and is hence beneficial for agriculture.

4. Explain the characteristic of clay soil.

The smallest particles are contained in clay and are one of the finest among other types of soil. Particles are packed so densely and have little to no airspace. They retain water efficiently and become hard for moisture and air to penetrate, thereby impeding the growth of plants.