Tag: classification of soils

The soil develops a reddish colour due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. 

This is the most widely spread and important soil. Alluvial soils as a whole are very fertile. Mostly these soils contain adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid and lime. Due to its high fertility, regions of alluvial soils are intensively cultivated and densely populated. 

These have been deposited by three important Himalayan river systems– the Indus and the Ganga (Indo-Gangetic river system). 

Laterite has been derived from the Latin word ‘later’ which means brick.  The laterite soil develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall.  These soils are mainly found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and the hilly areas of Orissa and Assam. This soil is very useful for growing tea and coffee. 

Black soil is mostly found in Deccan plateau. This soil is mainly found in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

 It is believed that climatic condition along with the parent rock material are the important factors for the formation of black 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. 

Laterite has been derived from the Latin word ‘later’ which means brick. 

After adopting appropriate soil conservation techniques particularly in the hilly areas of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, this soil is very useful for growing tea and coffee. 

The best soils for cashew are deep, friable well drained sandy loam without a hard pan. Water stagnation and flooding are not congenial for cashew. And the laterite soils meets these requirements.