Soil is a complex mixture that forms the top layer of Earth's crust. It is influenced by climate, vegetation, relief, parent material and human activities. The main types of soil found in India are black soil, red soil, alluvial soil, laterite soil, desert soil, mountain soil and forest soil. They differ in properties based on factors like texture, color, moisture and nutrient content.

4. Soil is one of the major natural
resources, like air and water.
 Soil is the topmost layer of the
earth's crust and is a mixture of fine
powdered rocks, organic matter,
liquids, myriad organisms and other
minerals.
 It acts as an interface between
hydrosphere, lithosphere, earth's
atmosphere and biosphere.
The proportion of the key
ingredients determines the type of
soil.

5. But, factors such as vegetation,
climatic conditions, human
activities for example grazing,
farming, gardening etc.. also
influence soil formation.
In India, various types of soils
are found and their formations are
influenced by certain factors such
as altitude, climate
disproportionate rainfall and many
others.
 The type of soil differs in
different areas of the country.

16. •Also known as regur soil.
•Regur means cotton – best soil for cotton
cultivation.
•Most of the Deccan is occupied by Black soil.
•Mature soil.
•High water retaining capacity.
•Swells and will become sticky when wet and shrink
when dried.
•Self-ploughing is a characteristic of the black soil
as it develops wide cracks when dried.
•Rich in: Iron, lime, calcium, potassium, aluminum
and magnesium.
•Deficient in: Nitrogen, Phosphorous and organic
matter.
•Colour: Deep black to light black.

18. Seen mainly in low rainfall area.
Also known as Omnibus group.
Porous, friable structure.
Absence of lime, kankar (impure calcium
carbonate).
Deficient in: lime, phosphate, manganese,
nitrogen, humus and potash.
Colour: Red because of Ferric oxide. The
lower layer is reddish yellow or yellow.
Texture: Sandy to clay and loamy.
Wheat, cotton, pulses, tobacco, oilseeds,
potato etc are cultivated.

20. Forest Soils
Forest soils are formed in the forest areas
where sufficient rainfall is available.
The soils vary in structure and texture
depending on the mountain environment where
they are formed.
They are loamy and silty on valley sides and
coarse-grained in the upper slopes.
In the snow-bound areas of the Himalayas, they
experience denudation, and are acidic with low
humus content.
 The soils found in the lower valleys are fertile.

22. Name from Latin word ‘Later’ which means Brick.
Become so soft when wet and so hard when dried.
In the areas of high temperature and high rainfall.
Formed as a result of high leaching.
Lime and silica will be leached away from the soil.
Organic matters of the soil will be removed fast by the bacteria
as it is high temperature and humus will be taken quickly by the
trees and other plants. Thus, humus content is low.
Rich in: Iron and Aluminum
Deficient in: Nitrogen, Potash, Potassium, Lime, Humus
Colour: Red colour due to iron oxide.
Rice, Ragi, Sugarcane and Cashew nuts are cultivated mainly.

24. Desert / arid soil:
Seen under Arid and Semi-Arid conditions.
Deposited mainly by wind activities.
High salt content.
Lack of moisture and Humus.
Kankar or Impure Calcium carbonate content is
high which restricts the infiltration of water.
Nitrogen is insufficient and Phosphate is
normal.
Texture: Sandy
Colour: Red to Brown.