Soils of India
Geography · भारत की मिट्टी · 14 facts
Sheet Erosion: Top layer of soil removed uniformly by water/wind over large area
Rill Erosion: Small channels (rills) formed by running water on slopes
Gully Erosion: Deep channels cut into soil → leads to badlands (Chambal ravines)
Wind Erosion: Common in Rajasthan desert, soil blown away by wind
Prevention: Terrace farming, contour ploughing, afforestation, shelter belts, strip cropping
Alluvial soil = most widespread in India (~40% area)
Alluvial soil has two types: Khadar (new) & Bhangar (old)
Black soil = Regur = Cotton soil, found in Deccan Plateau
Black soil has self-ploughing property (swells when wet, cracks when dry)
Red soil gets its colour from iron oxide content
Laterite soil formed by heavy rain + leaching, rich in iron & aluminium
Laterite = Latin 'Later' means brick (brick-red colour)
Desert soil: sandy, saline, low humus, found in Thar
Mountain soil: rich in humus but acidic, found on hill slopes