Soil of India
Soil
Soil
Definition
Factors/ Process
Soil Composition- mineral, organic,water,air
Soil Profile- OAEBCR
Classification of Soil
Ancient Times- Usará, Uvara
Soils of India ICAR -8 Types - Tamil
Soils of Tamil Nadu- Tamil
Soil Erosion- Sheet, Gully, Ravines
Soil Conservation- Mulching, Contour Bunding, Rock Dam, Terrace Farming, Intercropping, Contour Ploughing, Shelter Belt
World Soil Day
Soil Health Card
Nutrient Based Subsidy
Neem Coated Urea (NCU)
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
Soil is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids and organisms that together support life. Soil minerals form the basis of soil.
It forms on the surface of the earth. It is known as the ‘skin of the earth’.
Parent
material
Climate
Topography
Organisms
Time
Soil Composition
The basic components of soil are mineral, organic matter, water and air. It consists of about 45% mineral, 5% organic matter, 25%
of water and 25% air. It is only a generalized fact. The composition of soil varies from place to place and time to time.
Soil profile
The soil profile is defined as the vertical section of the soil from the ground surface and extends downwards.
| Layers of Soil | Description |
| O-Horizon or Humus |
This layer is dominated by organic material (leaves, needles, twigs, moss, and lichens).
|
| A-Horizon or Top Soil |
It is a part of top soil, composed of organic matter mixed with mineral matter.
|
| E-Horizon or Elevated Layer |
E-Stands for elevated layer. This layer is significantly leached of clay, iron, and aluminum oxides, which leaves a concentration of ore.
|
| B-Horizon or Sub-soil |
This layer reflects the chemical or physical alteration of parent material. Thus iron, clay, aluminum, and organic compounds are found accumulated in this horizon.
|
| C-Horizon or Parent Rock |
Partially weathered parent material accumulates in this layer.
|
| R-Horizon or Parent Rock |
This layer consists of unweathered part of bed rock.
|
Classification of soils
Soils are classified on the basis of their formation, colour, physical and chemical properties. Based on these, soil is classified
into six major types. They are: Alluvial soil, Black soil, Red soil, Laterite soil, Mountain soil, Desert soil
- In the ancient period, soils were mainly classified into two – Urvara (fertile) and Usara (sterile).
- The first scientific classification of soil was done by Vasily Dokuchaev.
- In India, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has classified soils into 8 categories.
| Soil Type | Percentage |
| Black Soil | 29.69% |
| Red Soil | 28% |
| Alluvial Soil | 22.16% |
| Forest & Mountain Soil | 7.94% |
| Arid & Desert Soil | 6.13% |
| Laterite Soil | 2.62% |
| Peaty & Marshy Soil | 2.17% |
| Saline & Alkaline Soil | 1.29% |
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