Tag: classification of soils

Laterite is a soil and rock type rich in iron and aluminium, and is commonly considered to have formed in hot and wet tropical areas. Nearly all laterites are of rusty-red coloration, because of high iron oxide content.

Alluvial soils are most widely spread and important soil. In fact, the entire northern plains are made of alluvial soil. According to their age alluvial soils can be classified as old alluvial (Bangar) and new alluvial (Khadar). Khadar has more fine particles and is more fertile than the bangar.

Laterite has been derived from the Latin word ‘later’ which means brick. The laterite soil develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall. This is the result of intense leaching due to heavy rain.

Loamy soil is composed of a mixture of sand, clay and humus. Loamy soil contains different sizes of particles. It is dark in colour.

The laterite soil develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall. This is the result of intense leaching due to heavy rain. 

Brown earth is a type of soil. Brown earths are mostly located between 35° and 55° north of the Equator. The largest expanses cover western and central Europe, large areas of western and trans-Uralian Russia, the east coast of America and eastern Asia.

Black soils are also known as regur soils. Black soil is ideal for growing cotton and is also known as black cotton soil. This type of soil is typical of the Deccan trap (Basalt) region spread over northwest Deccan plateau and is made up of lava flows. 

Alluvial soils as a whole are very fertile. Mostly these soils contain adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid and lime which are ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse crops.