SOILS OF INDIA
- 2. INTRODUCTION • Soil is the loose material which forms the thin surface of Earth. • It is formed by decomposition of organic matter and breaking up of rocks by different agents like water, wind, glacier etc. • The organic matter formed by decomposition of plants and animals is called humus. • Soil does not forms in a year but takes million of years for its formation.
- 3. Importance of Soil • 1. it forms the basis for growth of crop. All agricultural production is dependent on the quality of soil. Example: Ganga plain is best suitable for growth of crops. • 2. Soil support animal life and various animals like earthworms, rats live in soil. • 3. It forms the basis for the growth of various plants consisting of fruits and vegetables which are necessary for survival of human life.
- 4. Factors of Soil formation • 1. Parent Material: the material like rocks, organic matter is called parent material. Rocks are converted into fine sediments made by weathering caused by different agents like water , wind etc. • 2. Relief: The uneven nature of earth surface called relief. Steep slope allows water to move fastly thus does not help in soil formation. Gentle slope allow deposition of sediments brought by rivers and help in formation of soil.
- 5. • 3. Natural Vegetation: it refers to growth of plants in an area . Plants bind the soil particles together and provided leaf material which acts as a humus for soil. So areas which have high natural vegetation have good soil.
- 6. SOIL HORIZON • Studying the soil vertically is called Soil Horizon. • It is divided into three parts: • Horizon A: it is the topmost zone. In this minerals, nutrients, organic matter is present . • Horizon B: It is the transition between horizon A and C • Horizon C: It consist of loose material . It forms the first layer of soil formation.
- 7. Classification of Soils • 1. In ancient times, Soil was classified into 2 Urvara(Fertile soils) and Usara( Infertile soils). • 2. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has divided into Inceptisols, Entisols, Alfisols. • 3 . On the basis of colour, composition, characteristic and location, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): • 1 .Forest Soils • 2. Alluvial Soil • 3. Desert Soils • 4. Black Soils • 5. Laterite Soil • 6. Saline Soils • 7. Red and Yellow Soils • 8. Peaty Soils
- 8. 1.Forest Soil • This soil are found in areas with sufficient rainfall and thick forest growth. • They are loamy on valley sides have quality of humus. • In Snow bound areas, soil is acidic and have low humus • They are found in states like Jammu and Kashmir, Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh.
- 9. 2. Alluvial Soil • These are soil formed by depositional work of rivers. Example: Ganga Plain is formed by deposition of alluvium brought by river. • They are rich in potassium and humus but lack phosphorus and nitrogen. • The colour of soil varies from light grey to ash grey. • They are the most fertile soil and they can be used for the growth of crops like wheat,rice etc. • They are found in areas like Indo- Gagnetic plains covering states of Punjab , Haryana,Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, deltaic region of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Cauveri.
- 11. 3.Desert Soil • This soil is found in areas of high temperature and low rainfall. It is because of these conditions, the salt get deposited on the top layer of soil. • The soil lack nitrogen and humus as it lack vegetation cover and thus is not suitable for agriculture. • The colour of the soil varies from red to light brown. • in this type of soil, kankars are also present • This soil is found in states like Rajasthan, parts of South-West Punjab.
- 12. 4.Black Soil or Regur Soil • 1.They are formed by solidification of lava in Deccan Plateau and therefore rich in minerals. • 2.They are clayey in nature, • 3.They have capability of storing moisture for a long time. • 4.During rainy season, it becomes sticky and it becomes difficult to plough. During Summer season, moisture gets evaporated and deep cracks appear on the soil. • 5.They contain Iron, Aluminum, Potash but lack nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter. • 6.They are suitable for the growth of cotton. • 7.They are found in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
- 13. 5.Laterite Soil • These soils are formed by the process of leaching. • Leaching is the process by which soil is being removed due to high temperature and high rainfall. • Due to high rainfall, lime and silica are removed from soil and it is left with iron oxide and potash. • The soil lacks organic matter, nitrogen and calcium. • The soil becomes hard like brick when dries up and thus is not suitable for agriculture. • This is found in states like coastal areas of Karnataka, Kerela ,Tamil Nadu and Assam.
- 14. 6.Red and Yellow Soil • They are formed due to weathering of metamorphic rocks. • They are red in colour due to high iron content in them. • These soils are rich in potash, iron but lack lime, phosphate, nitrogen etc. • With the application of fertilizers, they are suitable for the growth of wheat and rice. • They are found in states like parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand etc.
- 15. 7. Peaty Soils • They are found in areas of high rainfall and high humidity. • They are formed due to high vegetation growth in that area. • These soils are rich in humus and organic content. • They are brown in colour. • They are found in states like UK, coastal areas of West Bengal, Odhisha, Tamilnadu.
- 16. Soil Degredation • It refers to decline in soil fertility and nutritional status of soil due to various human factors like deforestation, industalisation , urbanisation.
- 17. Soil Erosion • It refers to the removal of top layer of soil by different agents of weathering like water, wind etc. • Causes of Soil Erosion: • 1.Deforestation: Trees bind the soil particles togeother. Trees are cut by humans for building houses, laying roads etc. Cutting of trees makes soil particle loose and thus causes soil erosion.
- 18. • 2. Faulty methods of Agriculture: wrong methods of agriculture like ploughing, not using crop rotation technique, shifting cultivation(crops grown on one land, burnt and then moved on another). • .
- 19. • 3.Overgrazing: Due to overgrazing, soil becomes weak and loose. It is easily carried by the wind or water and thus causes Soil Erosion
- 20. Types of Soil Erosion • 1.Sheet Erosion: when due to heavy rainfall, the topmost fertile layer is removed by water, it is called Sheet Erosion. • 2. Gully Erosion: On Steep slopes and areas with lack of vegetation cover, deep valleys are cut are called Gullies. Gully cut agricultural land and make it unfit for cultivation. • 3. Desertification: Large Scale Erosion in dry areas due to intensive cultivation, overgrazing and deforestation has led to decrease in the quality called as Desertification.
- 21. Soil Conservation • Soil is a natural and national resource. • Its fertility will give good agricultural production. • Soil takes million of year for its formation. Therefore Soil needs to be conserved. • Soil Conservation refers to application of techniques which help in conservation of soil.
- 22. Techniques for Soil Conservation • 1. Afforestation: It refers to the growing of trees in an area as trees bind the soil particles together and prevent in soil erosion.
- 23. • 2. Making Dams and barriers: Many rivers causes soil erosion due to heavy rainfall. Therefore there flow can be regulated by building barriers or dams in the middle so that there speed is decreased.
- 24. • 3.Keep a check on Overgrazing: Separate grazing grounds can be made and animals should be sent there after timings. • 4. Crop Rotation should be applied. In this the crops should be grown in rotation as they help in maintaining the soil fertility. • .
- 26. • 5. Terrace farming can be done in the hilly areas. Small steps can be made in mountainous areas which will help in reducing the water speed and thus help in reducing soil erosion.
- 27. • 6.Shelter Belts: in this technique, trees are planted in the direction of winds. It is done so that wind does not cause erosion and their speed reduces
- 28. • 7. Contour Ploughing: It is practice of ploughing along the contours of steep slope in mountains. With the help of this technique, surface run off and soil erosion can be decreased.