The earth beneath our feet is often overlooked and underappreciated, but little do we realise it holds the key to our sustenance. Soil, a mixture of organic and inorganic matter, plays a significant role in the enhancement and development of plants and, thus, in agriculture. It is the foundation upon which the food that nourishes us is grown.
From the root systems of crops to the diverse microorganisms that reside within them, the soil is a complex and dynamic ecosystem that holds immense significance in agriculture.
Soils are the primary source of nutrients for plants. They provide the physical, chemical, and biological support necessary for plant growth. Soil structure, texture, and fertility influence the availability of essential nutrients, water, and air to plants.
Proper soil management practices ensure soil health and productivity, which in turn support healthy plant growth and high crop yields. Most agribusinesses are turning to advanced soil health management systems to look after their soil health. Let's delve into the fertile world of soil and explore its role in the cultivation of crops.
Let’s understand the different soil of India-
We're going to highlight a few of India's most prevalent soil types in the section below. Are you interested in learning what kind of soil is ideal for farming? Go down below to see the different types of Indian soil and learn more about their traits.
- Alluvial Soil- Alluvial soil is the first type of soil on the list. The most common type of soil is one that is easily accessible in India. Surface water collects material and stores it as alluvial soil. Therefore, they were frequently observed around rivers, deltas, and floodplains. Also, it improves the water quality for areas downstream by removing various residues and additives from the flowing water.
Alluvial soil has a combination of clay soil and sandy loam soil as its characteristics. It drains quickly by nature. Both phosphoric acid and organic materials are abundant in this type of soil. It also has low nitrogen and potash levels.
Cotton, wheat, sorghum, bajra, maize, barley, jute, tobacco, green and black gramme, chickpea, pigeon pea, soybean, sesame, peanut, linseed, and any oilseed-containing fruit or vegetable—it is ideal for all of them.
- Black Soil- When lava rocks weather away, black soil is produced. It is a nutrient that contains lime, magnesium, iron, and aluminium. Organic matter, phosphate, and nitrogen are insufficient in this kind of soil. This sort of soil typically develops its dark colour as a result of humus or other salts. When thoroughly moist, this sort of soil becomes sticky and breaks throughout the dry season. It is quite damp and includes a lot of clay, but in the hills of the nation, it turns sandy.
Since cotton is a widely produced crop in this soil, it is known as “black cotton soil.” Heat, cereals, rice, Jowar, sugarcane, linseed, sunflower, peanut, tobacco, millets, citrus fruits, all varieties of oilseed crops, and vegetables are also cultivated in this soil.
- Red & Yellow Soil- The ideal soil for agriculture is thought to be of this sort. Red soil is a type of soil produced in an environment that is warm, moist, and temperate with a thin natural coating. Stone serves as the base material, while iron oxide, which occurs as haematite, is what gives the shading its red colour. It takes on a limonite-yellow hue in the shadow when it exists in a hydrated form. Seek out additional details regarding red-yellow dirt.
This soil type contains iron oxide, which causes it to be red. It is created as metamorphic rocks erode. Potash is abundant in red and yellow soil, while organic matter, nitrogen, magnesium, lime, and phosphorus are in short supply. The soil here has a sandy texture.
The best crops for this soil include groundnut, potato, maize/corn, rice, ragi, wheat, millets, pulses, sugarcane, oilseeds, and fruits like citrus, orange, and mango, as well as vegetables and other items.
- Laterite Soil- Iron oxide-rich laterite soil layer formed from a variety of rocks that underwent strong oxidising and filtering processes. It builds its buildings in humid tropical and subtropical regions.
Iron is abundant, and the soil is acidic. Because of its high iron content, this particular type of soil is used to create bricks. It has low levels of phosphate, calcium, nitrogen, and organic matter.
Major crops grown on laterite soil include cotton, wheat, rice, legumes, rubber, tea, coffee, coconuts, and cashews.
- Arid Soil- Due to its favourable attributes, this soil is appropriate for agricultural use. Africa, the Middle East, North and South America, and Australia are the principal locations for dry and semi-arid soils. Moreover, it is the ideal sort of soil for farming. Brussels sprouts, broccoli, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, kale, daikon radish, and peas are among the crops grown in clay soil.
The soil is sandy and has little clay. Due to the high rates of evaporation in arid areas, arid soil is poor in organic matter and humidity. Dry soil has a low nitrogen concentration and a high salt content, making it saline in nature. It does have a lot of plant oils, though. Dry dirt can be anything from red to brown in colour.
The soil is sandy and has little clay. Due to the high rates of evaporation in arid areas, arid soil is poor in organic matter and humidity. Dry soil has a low nitrogen concentration and a high salt content, making it saline in nature. It does have a lot of plant oils, though. Dry dirt can be anything from red to brown in colour.
- Mountain & Forest Soil- Mountain and Forest Soil is the second-best soil on the list of soil types and crops. Nearly every type of soil known to man can be found somewhere, including the dirt found in the highlands. The local climate has an impact on the surface of the soil. One of the best soil kinds for agriculture is this one.
This kind of soil has a lot of organic matter but little potash, phosphorus, or lime. The proper fertilisers must be used for crops growing in these soils. Moreover, the soil is acidic. Forest soil crops include wheat, barley, maize, tea, coffee, spices, and tropical and temperate fruits.
- Desert Soil- Desert soils are found in areas where the plants and climate are more interested in water than precipitation. 20% to 33% of the surface of the Earth is covered with deserts, which are also located in the depths, in the middle, and near the rainforests.
This kind of soil is sandy, dry, and contains some nitrogen. Desert soil is perfect for agricultural irrigation. Only plants that can withstand drought, such as millet and barley, can typically grow in this soil.
Understanding different soil types and their characteristics are crucial for successful farming practices. Proper soil management practices such as crop rotation, contour farming, cover cropping, and no-till farming ensure soil health and improve crop quality.
If you’re looking for measures to enhance your soil productivity, check out Kheti Buddy’s sustainable farming software that enables you to monitor and maintain soil quality and improve overall efficiency.
