GEO L18 Soils of India Land Use
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Transcript of GEO L18 Soils of India Land Use
Soil
Soil
Alluvial soilRed soilBlack soilLateritic soilMountainous soilDesert soilSaline alkaline soilMangrove soil
Soils of India
Covers 42% of Indian soilDeposition of riversMost fertileRich in organic material, micro-nutrients, well-drained Lacks PhosphorusAlluvial soilNorthern Plains, east coast, GJ except KathiawarFrom East to west:Fertility + Rainfall decreaseBut Productivity + technological advancement increaseAlluvial soil
East India: high potential for 2nd Green revolution Provide Irrigation + modern agro-practiceRJ plains: vulnerable to desertification, seepage from canal - salinityAlluvial soil
Covers 25% of Indian soil areaMost wide-spreadFormed due to erosion of granite and Gneissic rocks having iron and NickelBest-drained soil-least susceptible to water-logging
Red soilRich in lime, phosphate, iron, Potash, humusBut lack in Nitrogen and PhosphorusIt can support maximum crop-diversityImportant for food security and nutrition balanceRed Soil
But most vulnerable to soil-erosionArid regions drought prone= povertyLand fallowingBrick-making loss of top soil
Red SoilPrelims2010Q. When you travel certain parts of India, you will notice red soil. What is the main reason for this colour?Abundance of MagnesiumAccumulated humusPresence of ferric oxideAbundance of phosphate
Ans. C)UPSCQuestion
Covers 15% of Indian soilWeathering of lava rocks of Deccan plateauRich in Ferro-magnesium-silicate, lime and potashLack Nitrogen and Phosphorus
Black soil
Unique property:High clay contentCracks when dry and sticky when wetCracks allow air to reach into depthHigh water retentivity: good for cotton cultivationBlack SoilAreas:MH plateau, Kathiawar, Vindhyan, Kaimur hillsNorthern part KN uplands Black Soil
SoilPosseslacksAlluvial SoilNitrogen, Potash, humusPoor in PhosphorusBlack soilPotash and HumusPoor in Nitrogen and PhosphorusRed soilPotashN, P and humusLaterite soilPotash and Iron in excessN, P and CalciumArid soilHigh CalciumN, humusSalineSodium, Potassium in excessNMinerals in Indian soilCovers 4.5% areasAlternate wet-dry weatherLaterite = brick
Latosol (lateritic soil)
Leaching of silica iron remain in the top layerThick iron pans PetlandsAcidic soilQuickly eroded on deforestation, mining and plantation
Latosol (lateritic soil)
Not suitable agricultureBut suitable for sp. Crops like Tapioca and cashew nutsRich in iron support tea, coffee and rubber plantation with fertilizers
Lateritic soil: agriculture
Rich in BauxiteEastern Ghats, Telangana and KN plateau
Latosol (lateritic soil)Prelims2013Q. Which of the following statement regarding laterite soil of India are correct?They are red in colourThey are rich in nitrogen and PotashThey are well developed in RJ and UPTapioca and Cashew nuts grow well on these soilUPSCQuestionPrelims20131,2 and 32,3 and 41 and 42 and 3
Ans. C)UPSCQuestion
Very thin layer of soilUnder-developed soil horizonSoil at steep gradient cannot support agricultureCan support grassed of scrubsMountainous soil
Podzolic soilUnder cold humid climateLeaching of iron silica remain at top soilNot good for agriculture but good for forestry - lumbering
Mountainous soilChelation = Leaves of coniferous trees covered with cheating agent hard to degradeCold climate slow bacterial processHumus content is high
Mountainous soil
Sandy, loose and friable soilCoarse texture, low water holding capacityLow nutrient, low fertilityCannot support agriculture
Desert Soil
Indian desert soil is uniqueIts made up of alluvium, fine loessic depositsGood in micro-nutrientsSupport agriculture under irrigationVulnerable to salinity and desertification
Desert soil
Along tidal region of coastal areasGleying processSwampy-peaty soilBluish-green colour due to sulphideNot suitable for agriculture but support mangroves
Mangrove soilSoil problem areasBad drainage in arid areasOver-irrigationCanal areasWest RJ, PN-HN, terai belt, Deccan region
Saline Alkaline soil
2 stages:Calcification: moderate aridity conditionCalcium salts in upper layerSaline soil: extreme arid conditionSodium and Potassium salts in upper layerSaline Alkaline soilSoil
Total geo area = 328 ml haTotal reported area = 305 ml haIndia 17% of world population on 2.4% of land9 different ways of land use in India (Dept. Land resource)
Land use pattern in IndiaLand typeUsage in % of total reported areaForest23% -25%Net sown area46%Land not available for agricultureDevelopmental landWasteland15%Fallow land12.5%Pasture land3.5%Trees and grooves