Classification of Indian soils
Topic: Soils of India: Types, Degradation and Conservation · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 1 "Resources and Development"
Meaning
Indian soils are grouped by how they formed, their colour, depth, texture, age, and their chemical and physical properties. India's varied relief, climate and vegetation produce many kinds of soil. After the All India Soil Survey Committee (1953), ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) recognised eight major groups: alluvial, black (regur), red and yellow, laterite, arid (desert), saline and alkaline, peaty and marshy, and forest and mountain. The NBSS&LUP in Nagpur also maps soils using USDA Soil Taxonomy orders. For example, black soils are Vertisols and red soils are Alfisols.
Example
Alluvial soil covers the largest area, about two-fifths of India, across the Northern Plains. Black soil covers the Deccan Trap plateaus of Maharashtra and Malwa. Peaty soil is found in Kerala's Kuttanad.
Don't confuse with
- Class 7's six soil types: Class 7 lists only six types: alluvial, black, red, laterite, desert and mountain. The ICAR scheme has eight groups, because it adds saline and alkaline soils and peaty and marshy soils.