Major Soil Types of India: Origin, Distribution & Fertility
India’s soil diversity reflects its complex physiography, climatic variation, parent rock composition, and biotic processes. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) classifies India’s soils into eight major groups based on origin, texture, mineral composition, and fertility. Understanding their spatial distribution and nutrient potential is crucial for sustainable land management, crop planning, and ecological balance.
Major Soil Types
Alluvial Soils
Origin
- Formed by the deposition of sediments brought down by rivers such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus.
- Composed of silt, sand, and clay, derived mainly from igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Himalayas.
Distribution
- Occupy about 43% ....
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