Major soil types of Sri Lanka

1. SOILS OF SRI LANKA

2. Vidarsha Prathibha
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3. MAJOR SOIL TYPES.
• Reddish Brown Earth Soil
• Non-calcic Brown Soil
• Reddish Brown Lateritic Soil
• Red-Yellow Podzolic Soil
• Red-Yellow Latosols
• Immature Brown Loamy Soil
• Rendzina Soil
• Grumosols Soil
• Solodized Solonetz Soil
• Low-Humic Glay Soil
• Meadow Podzolic Soil
• Bog And Half Bog Soil
• Alluvial Soil
• Regosols
Vidarsha Prathibha

4. REDDISH BROWN EARTH SOIL.
• These soils are reddish to reddish brown in colour and found in the
upper and mid slopes of the landscape in the dry zone.
Characteristics
• Soil texture is sandy clay loam
• Soil depth is about 60cm to 150cm
• Available moisture is 130-170mm/m
• The steady infiltration rate ranges is about 3-9in 4 hours
• Hard when dry, slightly friable when moist, very sticky when wet.
Vidarsha Prathibha

5. REDDISH BROWN EARTH SOIL…
The areas can found this soil type
• Medawachchiya, Aluthwewa, Anamaduwa, Siyambalanduwa, Ranna,
Nonagama, Ulhitiya, Walawe,
Crops can grow in Reddish Brown Earth Soil
• Paddy, Maize, Green gram, Cowpea, Chili, Vegetables, Onion, Tea,
Rubber Coconut
Vidarsha Prathibha

6. NON-CALCIC BROWN SOIL.
Characteristics
• Color range from dark brown to ash brown.
• Mostly Non-calcic brown soil contains sand.
• Horizon B has more than 40% of base saturation and a high amount
of clay than horizon A.
• There are much of Calcium and Magnesium. There is a decomposed
Nitrogen top layer.
• This is a slightly acidic soil
• Cation exchange capacity is 5-11. Structure is breakable.
Vidarsha Prathibha

7. NON-CALCIC BROWN SOIL…
The areas can found this soil type
• This soil can be found in dry zone.
• Ampara, Baticalloa, some areas of Galoya Valley and area in around
Mahawa in Sri Lanka.
Crops can grow in Non-Calcic Brown Soil
• Cereals, Green gram, Cowpea, Peanut, Sugar canes, Chili,
Vegetables and Onion can be cultivated in non-calcic brown soil by
applying correct conservation techniques and better irrigation.
Vidarsha Prathibha

8. REDDISH BROWN LATERRITIC SOIL.
Characteristics
• The pH values of these soils are usually between 5.5 and 6 with
slightly higher values for the surface horizon. There is no tendency
for the pH to increase in the deeper horizons or even in the C. The
pH in water is distinctly higher than pH in IN KCl in all horizons.
• Catior exchange capacity of the B2t horizon is quite variable, ranging
from 25 to 40 m.e. per 100 grams clay.
• Base saturation of the Bt horizon is generally lower than 40%, but
values lower than 15% are less common.
• the A horizon of a reddish brown lateritic soil near Kandy.
Vidarsha Prathibha

9. REDDISH BROWN LATERRITIC SOIL…
The areas can found this soil type
• Kandy
Crops can grow in Reddish Brown Latteric Soil
• Tea, rubber and coconut plantations, cocoa. Vegetables and
tobacco are grown in the rain shadow region immediately east
of Kandy.
Vidarsha Prathibha

10. RED-YELLOW PODZOLIC SOIL.
Characteristics
• Deeply developed soil profile
• Higher structural stability and better response to management
• The fertility of wet zone soils is poor because these soils have been
extensively leached due to high rainfall.
• The CEC values is moderate. Therefore, special fertilizer
management practices on these soils are required.
• Low pH value
• The base saturation of the dry zone soils remains at a higher range.
• Colour varies from strong brown to yellowish brown
Vidarsha Prathibha

11. RED-YELLOW PODZOLIC SOIL…
The areas can found this soil type
• Minuwangoda, Galigamuwa, Homagama, Agalawatta, Dodangoda,
Horton, Nuwara-Eliya, Maskeliya, Weddagala,Pallegoda
Crops can grow in Red-Yellow podzoilc Soil
• Rice, Plantation crops
Vidarsha Prathibha

12. RED-YELLOW LATASOL SOIL.
• There are three subgroups according to Red-Yellow Latasol soil.
Those are as in following.
1. Red Latasols.
2. Yellloww Latasols.
3. Calsic red Latasols.
Characreistics
• The A horizon is loamy and or sandy loam, without structure and
loose consistence.
• Typical for the texture of the B horizon is the very fine silt (2-20/ Z)
content.
• The B horizon may continue unchanged to as much as 40 feet.
Vidarsha Prathibha

13. RED-YELLOW LATASOL SOIL…
• It is structure less or at most. Very weak coarse sub angular blocky;
and is loose or slightly cement when dry.
• The Yellow Latasol subgroup differs from the Red Latasol only in as
far as colour of its B horizon is more yellowish, varying from
yellowish red to yellowish brown.
• The soils of the Calcic subgroup are more highly saturated with pH
value between 7-8.
• Soils in the Jaffna area shows a Silica: Aluminum ratio of
approximately 1: 6 in the fractions.
Vidarsha Prathibha

14. RED-YELLOW LATASOL SOIL…
The areas can found this soil type
• These soils appear exclusively in the dry zone.
• Jaffna.
• North-central provinces between Manna and Puttalam, in southern
province; near Hambantota.
Crops can grow in Red-yellow latasol soil
• Coconut in intermediate rainfall region.
• The natural vegetation is mainly in low dry mixed evergreen forests
with some shrub lands around Jaffna and Hambantota.
Vidarsha Prathibha

15. IMMATURE BROWN LOAMY SOIL.
Characteristics
• In the soil profile thickness of the first horizon is about 15cm -25cm
colour is varied from dark brown to dark ash brown special feature of
the soil is that flake graphite has spread out all over the soil profile.
• The thickness of second horizon is about 60cm.
• Third horizon contain flake graphite.
• This soil contain low amount of organic material and nitrogen.
• It is slightly acidic soil.
• Cation exchange capacity is 10 to 20 and base saturation is in
between 50 to 70.
Vidarsha Prathibha

16. IMMATURE BROWN LOAMY SOIL…
The areas can found this soil type
• Kegalle, Kandy, Kurungala and on the slope of hills in the dry zone.
Crops can grow in Immature Brown Loamy Soil
• Plants with short root system.
• Grass, vegetables and yam can be cultivated because depth of soils
is less.
• Tea, Rubber, Coconut, Pepper and areca nut are suitable if soil is
deep.
• Suitable for Home garden
Vidarsha Prathibha

17. Characteristics
• These soils have an AC profile sometimes with a thin weak
• The A horizon is usually more than 10 inches thick and is dark or
very dark grey brown in color
• Texture is variable with clay contents higher than 15%.
• The most important factor in the formation of rendzine soils is the
parent material.
• They are formed only on soft limestone or on weathered hard
limestone.
• The rendzine soils are confined to the intermediate and dry zones
with a rainfall approximately less than 80 inches.
RENDZINA SOIL.
Vidarsha Prathibha

18. RENDZINA SOIL…
The areas can found this soil type
• Matale district, Polonnaruwa district
Crops can grow in Rendzina Soil
• Because of their shallow and rocky characters, Rendzinas are hardly
to cultivate. Where there are sufficient deep, dry land tree crops can
be grown.
Vidarsha Prathibha

19. GRUMOSOL SOIL.
Characteristics
• Horizon of Grumusol soil is black in colour
• Contains enough amount of Calcium and Magnesium
• Cation exchange is about 65-90
• Water drainage is ill due to high clay content
• It is very difficult to use for cultivations because soil stick in wet
condition and hardens under dry condition
• Too hard to machineries.
Vidarsha Prathibha

20. GRUMOSOL SOIL…
The areas can found this soil type
• Southern parts of Jaffna district, Thunukaya area, Murukan area,
Mannar district
Crops can grow in Grumosol Soil
• Suitable for Paddy cultivation, Vegetables and cereals can be
cultivated by means of irrigation.
Vidarsha Prathibha

21. SOLODIZED SOLONETZS SOIL.
Characteristics
• Medium pH value.
• Horizon A of Solodized solonetzs soils is moderately acidic. With the
A 2 and A 3 horizons; show the greatest acidity. B1 is neutral.
• A typical example for such vegetation is the “Damana Gressland” on
the lower right bank Terrance of the “Mahaveli River”.
Vidarsha Prathibha

22. LOW HUMIC GLAY SOIL.
• Third most extensive soil group in Sri Lanka
• Located at the foot slopes of the undulating landscape.
• Characterized by the wetness or gleying through the profile.
• Availability of calcite concretions.
Characteristics
• Soil texture is sandy clay to clay
• Soil structure is angular block to massive
• WHC is fairly good
Vidarsha Prathibha

23. MEADOW PODZOLIC SOIL.
Characteristics
• An A 2 horizon which may be strongly bleached is usually observed.
• The A 3 horizon is thicker than 10 inches and generally around 20
inches in thickness.
• The organic matter content is high, and at times can be so high that
it may be transitions to peat.
• The A2 horizon when present, shows distinct signs of wetness
(molting) and has a low organic matter content.
• Colour is gray brown to gray.
• These soils have low pH and low base structure throughout the
profile.
• C/ N rations of the organic material is high.Vidarsha Prathibha

24. MEADOW PODZOLIC SOIL…
The areas can found this soil type
• These soils have been observe only in highland plateau area around
Nuwara Eiya.
Crops can grow in Meadow Podzolic Soils.
• Vegetation is wet patana grasslands with Chrysopogons,
Rhododendron thicket and giant fern.
• Very little use is made of these soils present.
• Despite their limited occurance, these soils have ahigh potential for
intensive pasture management if adequate drainage provided.
Vidarsha Prathibha

25. BOG AND HALF BOG SOILS.
Characteristics.
• The colour of these soils range from ash brown to black.
• Bog and half bog soil have a very high cation exchange capacity that
is 100-200.
• It contains highest amount of organic materials drainage is poor.
• Soil is being covered by water.
• Acidity is high.
• pH value is between 4.0-5.0.
• H2S(hydrogen sulphide) can be poisonous as soil is being under
flood.
• Cultivation of vegetables also can be formed if drainage is possible.Vidarsha Prathibha

26. BOG AND HALF BOG SOIL…
The areas can found this soil type
• In the valleys of wet zone, Near river basins and Colombo,
Kaluthara, Galle and Mathara.
Crops can grow in Bog and Half Bog Soils
• Greens can be cultivated on a raised beds in bog and half bog soil.
• Under flood cultivation sedges can be cultivated.
Vidarsha Prathibha

27. ALLUVIAL SOIL.
Characteristics
• These are of Transported origin.
• Alluvial soil as a whole is very fertile.
• According to their age, these soils have been classified into 2 types
- Old Alluvium or Bhangar Soil.
- New Alluvium or Khaddar Soil.
• These soils contain adequate proportion of Potash, Lime and
Phosphoric acid.
• Silk, clay, gravel and sand the main constituents of alluvial soil.
Vidarsha Prathibha

28. ALLUVIAL SOIL…
The areas can found this soil type
• It is commonly found in riverbed and flood plains.
Crops can grow in Alluvial Soil
• Paddy, Sugarcane, Pawatta, corn,etc.
Vidarsha Prathibha

29. REGOSOL SOILS.
Characteristics
• Organic matter content is low
• Narrow coastal regions of Sri Lanka & in slopes of mountains
• Cation exchange capacity is high
• Calcium & magnesium are present in good quantities. Nitrogen &
Phosphorus content is low and so fertilizers are to be given many
times in small quantities.
• It is neutral in nature.
• It has underground water layer capacity and because of rich water
drainage capacity, Irrigation is a problem.
Vidarsha Prathibha

30. REGOSOL SOIL…
The areas can found this soil type
• In areas with/ about mountain slopes.
Crops can grow in Rwgosol Soil
• Coconut, Cashew
Vidarsha Prathibha