Soil, known as mitti, is the natural mixture of course, medium, and fine organic and inorganic particles found on the Earth’s surface. It is formed from the breakdown of rocks, minerals, organic matter, and microorganisms. Soil is made up of different layers. The topmost layer contains fine soil particles, decomposed plants, and remains of living organisms, making it essential for crop production. The second layer is usually clayey, followed by a mixture of broken rocks and soil. The last layer consists of unweathered hard rocks. The scientific study of soil, its formation, properties, and distribution on Earth is called Pedology. Understanding mitti ke prakar is important for agriculture, environment, and sustainable land use.
Types of Soil in India (Classification)
Soil, or mitti, exists in many forms, and each type of soil is used differently based on its properties. he Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has classified the soils of India into eight distinct categories. To encourage soil preservation and sustainable use, the Central Soil Conservation Board was set up in 1953. For the study of desert-related problems, research centers were set up in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The major mitti ke prakar found in India are as follows:
ALL SOIL TYPES :
- Alluvial Soil
- Red Soil
- Black Soil
- Laterite Soil
- Saline and Alkaline Soil
- Peaty and Other Organic Soil
- Arid and Desert Soil
- Forest Soil
1. Alluvial Soil
Alluvial soil, considered one of the most significant mitti ke prakar, extends from Punjab in western North India across the expansive northern plains up to the Ganga delta. It is highly fertile and also known as Khadar or Bhangar soil. Covering nearly 40% of India’s land area, this soil is mostly found in river basins and plains. It covers around 7.68 lakh square kilometers, brought by rivers such as the Sutlej, Ganga, Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, and Brahmaputra along with their tributaries.
This soil generally lacks gravel but is deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter. Khadar soils are richer in nutrients than Bhangar, which makes them comparatively more fertile. In low rainfall areas, Bhangar soil sometimes turns saline, barren, or alkaline.
The physical characteristics of alluvial soil depend on climatic conditions, especially rainfall and vegetation. Being one of the most productive types of soil in India, it supports the cultivation of pulses, cotton, sugarcane, wheat, rice, jute, tobacco, oilseeds, and vegetables in North India through irrigation.
2. Red Soil
Red soil, an important category among mitti ke prakar, is formed due to climatic changes that cause the disintegration and decomposition of metamorphic and igneous rocks. It is suitable for crops like cotton, wheat, pulses, and coarse grains. The color of this soil varies from brown, chocolate, yellow, to even black, depending on the parent rock material, mainly granite.
Red soil consists of both fine and coarse particles. Fine-grained red soil is relatively fertile, while coarse-grained red soil is generally less fertile and often barren. It has a low content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter but is rich in iron, alumina, and lime.
Composition of Red Soil:
- Insoluble elements: 90.47%
- Iron: 3.61%
- Aluminum: 2.92%
- Organic matter: 1.01%
- Magnesia: 0.70%
- Lime: 0.56%
- Carbon dioxide: 0.30%
- Potash: 0.24%
Being one of the most widespread types of soil in India, red soil plays a vital role in agriculture, especially in southern and eastern regions of the country.
3. Black Soil
Black soil, commonly referred to as Regur or Black Cotton Soil, is a well-developed soil type predominantly found in the lava-covered regions of the southern Deccan Plateau. Formed from two rock classes Deccan Trap and ferruginous gneiss and schist it is one of the most important mitti ke prakar in India. This soil is highly suitable for cotton cultivation, which is why it is often called Black Cotton Soil. Its high moisture-retention capacity makes it favorable for dry farming practices.
Chemical Composition of Black Soil:
- Ferric Oxide: 11.24%
- Alumina: 9.39%
- Water and organic matter: 5.83%
- Lime: 1.81%
- Magnesia: 1.79%
Among the various mitti ke prakar, black soil stands out as one of India’s richest and most productive soils, highly valued for its natural fertility. Cotton is its principal crop, but it also supports the cultivation of sugarcane, banana, jowar, tobacco, castor, groundnut, and soybean. Its high capacity to retain both nutrients and moisture makes it an essential foundation of Indian agriculture.
4. Laterite Soil
Laterite soil, one of the significant mitti ke prakar, is commonly found in tropical regions where rainfall is seasonal. Although its color is red, it is distinct from red soil. Formed due to the weathering of rocks during dry seasons, laterite soil is classified into deep red laterite and groundwater laterite.
Deep red laterite contains a high proportion of iron oxide and potash but has low fertility. On elevated areas, it is thin, gravelly, and often unsuitable for farming, while in plains it can be cultivated. White laterite, which has the least fertility, appears white due to the high content of kaolin.
Laterite soil is mainly found in the hilly regions of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha, as well as parts of the Deccan Plateau, Rajmahal Hills, Chotanagpur Plateau, and Assam. In the plains of South India, it is used for paddy cultivation, while in higher regions, crops like tea, coffee, rubber, and cinchona are grown.
Chemical Composition of Laterite Soil:
- Iron: 18.7%
- Silica: 32.62%
- Alumina: 25.2%
- Phosphorus: 0.7%
- Lime: 0.42%
Being one of the unique types of soil in India, laterite soil is characteristic of hot and humid regions, but due to heavy leaching, it often lacks humus and nutrients.
5. Alkaline soil
Saline and Alkaline soils, also known locally as Thur, User, Kallar, Rakar, Reh, and Chopan, are commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions, marshy lands, and areas with excessive irrigation. These soils are formed due to two main reasons: in dry regions, over-irrigation leads to the accumulation of salts, while in high-rainfall areas, poor drainage and fluctuating groundwater levels bring salts to the surface.
In such soils, salts and alkalis from the lower layers of the land move upward due to evaporation, resulting in the deposition of harmful substances in the top layer. This makes the soil less productive. The high concentration of sodium, calcium, and magnesium is the major cause of reduced fertility.
Among the different mitti ke prakar, saline and alkaline soil is considered one of the least fertile types of soil in India, though with proper treatment and soil management techniques, some agricultural use is possible.
6. Peaty and Other Organic Soil
Peaty and other organic soil, one of the unique mitti ke prakar, is rich in humus and organic matter. Found in humid and waterlogged regions like Kerala, Odisha, and Bihar, it supports vegetation but is often acidic. Proper management improves its productivity among the diverse types of soil in India.
7. Arid and Desert soil
Arid and Desert soil, an important mitti ke prakar, is mainly found in the dry regions of Rajasthan, Haryana, and parts of Gujarat. This soil is sandy, light in texture, and has low moisture-retention capacity due to hot and dry climatic conditions. Rich in soluble salts but poor in humus and organic matter, it is generally less fertile. However, with proper irrigation, crops like millet, barley, maize, and pulses can be cultivated. Among the major types of soil in India, desert soil highlights the challenges of farming in arid zones while showcasing the potential of improved agricultural practices.
8. Forest soil
Forest soil, an important mitti ke prakar, is primarily distributed across the hilly and forest-covered areas of the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, and parts of Eastern India. Its fertility largely depends on the depth of forest cover and the amount of organic matter it contains. As one of the key types of soil in India, forest soil is suitable for cultivating tea, coffee, spices, and a variety of tropical fruits.
Remarks
The study of mitti ke prakar or the different types of soil in India highlights the strong link between soil and agriculture, environment, and human livelihood. Each mitti ke prakar whether it is the fertile alluvial plains, the cotton-friendly black soil, or the challenging desert and saline soils plays a crucial role in shaping India’s agricultural diversity. Understanding the characteristics, distribution, and uses of these soils is not only important for farmers but also for sustainable land use and environmental conservation. With proper management and conservation practices, India’s soil resources can continue to support food security and economic growth for generations to come.