Major Soil Types in India: Key Features and Free PDF Map

Understanding the major soil types in India is crucial for geography preparation, especially for competitive exams like UPSC. From alluvial to black, red to laterite, each soil type has unique characteristics, crop suitability, and regional distribution.

In this article, we break down the key features of all major soil types in India, including their regional distribution, major crops grown, and a free downloadable PDF map for quick reference and revision.

Types of Soil in India

India has varied relief features, landforms, climatic zone, and vegetation types. These have contributed to the formation of various types of soils in India.

In ancient times, soils were classified into two main groups: Urvara and Usara, which were fertile and sterile soils, respectively.

Presently, on the basis of genesis, colour, composition, and location, the soils of India are primarily classified into the following types:

1. Alluvial Soil
2. Black Soil
3. Red and Yellow Soil
4. Laterite Soil
5. Arid Soil
6. Saline Soil
7. Peaty and Marshy Soil
8. Forest and Mountain Soil

1. Alluvial Soil

• Covers about 40% of the total area of the country and is widespread in the Indo-gangetic plains and the coastal plains of the eastern coast.
• They are depositional soils, transported and deposited by rivers and streams.
• Highly fertile and rich in potash and lime.
• Poor in phosphorous and nitrogen.
• In the Upper and Middle Ganga plain, the alluvial soils are found in two types:
  1. Khadar: New alluvium deposited by floods annually, which enriches the soil by depositing fine slits.
  2. Bhangar: Older alluvium deposited away from the flood plains.
• Both Khadar and Bhangar soils contain calcareous concretions (Kankars).
• Alluvial soils are intensely cultivated.
• Major crops: Rice, wheat, maize, sugarcane, pulses, etc.

2. Black Soil

• Covers most parts of the Deccan Plateau.
• Also known as the ‘Regur Soil’ or the ‘Black Cotton Soil’.
• They are generally clayey, deep and impermeable.
• ‘Self-ploughing’ is a key feature of this soil, as they swell and become sticky when wet and shrink when dried.
• They retain the moisture for a very long time.
• Rich in lime, iron, magnesia, alumina, and potash.
• Poor in phosphorous, nitrogen and organic matter.
• Major crops: Cotton, pulses, millets, sugarcane, oilseeds, tobacco, etc.

3. Red and Yellow Soil

• Develops on crystalline igneous rocks in areas of low rainfall in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan Plateau.
• Reddish colour due to wide diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
• It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form.
• The fine-grained soil is usually fertile while the coarse-grained soil is poor in fertility.
• Rich in iron and potash.
• Generally poor in nitrogen, phosphorous and humus.
• Major crops: Millets, cotton, groundnut, sugarcane, pulses, etc.

4. Laterite Soil

• Name derived from the Latin word ‘later’ which means brick.
• Develops in areas with high temperatures and high rainfall.
• Formed as a result of intense leaching due to tropical rains.
• Lime and silica are leached away due to rain, and soils rich in iron oxide and aluminium compounds are left behind.
• Rich in iron oxide and potash.
• Poor in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphate and calcium.
• Although low in fertility, they respond well to manures and fertilisers.
• More suitable for tree crops like cashew nuts.
• Widely cut as bricks for use in house construction.
• Major crops: Tea, coffee, cashew, coconut, rubber, etc.

5. Arid Soil

• They are generally sandy in structure and saline in nature.
• In some areas, the salt content is so high that common salt is obtained by evaporating the saline water.
• Their phosphate content is normal but they lack in moisture, humus and nitrogen.
• Kankars formed in the lower horizons of the soil restrict the infiltration of water.
• These soils are characteristically developed in western Rajasthan.
• Major crops: Only drought-resistant and salt-tolerant crops such as millets, cotton, maize, pulses, fodder crops, etc.

6. Saline Soils

• Also known as Usara soils.
• Contain a large proportion of sodium, potassium and magnesium, and thus, are infertile.
• They do not support any vegetative growth.
• They have more salts, largely because of dry climate and poor drainage.
• They occur in arid and semi-arid regions, and in waterlogged and swampy areas.
• Their structure ranges from sandy to loamy.
• They lack in nitrogen and calcium.
• These soils are more widespread in western Gujarat, deltas of the eastern coast and in Sundarbans areas of West Bengal.
• Major crops: Not suitable without treatment, but rice and sugarcane may grow with proper management.

7. Peaty and Marshy Soil

• Found in areas of heavy rainfall and high humidity, where there is good growth of vegetation.
• Highly rich in organic matter and humus.
• Organic matter may go even up to 40-50 percent.
• These soils are normally heavy and black in colour.
• They are poor in drainage.
• In several places, they are alkaline also.
• Occurs widely in northern part of Bihar, southern part of Uttarakhand and the coastal areas of West Bengal, Odisha and Tamil Nadu.
• Major crops: Paddy (Rice), jute, and other water-loving plants.

8. Forest and Mountain Soil

• Formed in the forest areas where sufficient rainfall is available.
• They are loamy and silty on valley sides and coarse-grained on the upper slopes.
• In the snow-bound areas of the Himalayas, they experience denudation and are acidic with low humus content.
• These soils found in the lower valleys are fertile.
• Major crops: Tea, coffee, temperate fruits, etc.

Summary Table: Major Soil Types in India