Type of Soils based on the size of particles
Soils
- India is an Agrarian country & Soil is its prime resource. It plays a vital role in the economy of India as our industries are mainly Agro-based.
- About 65 to 70% of the total population of the country is depended on agriculture.
- The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) set up an All India Soil Committee in 1953 which distributed it into various types
Type of Soils based on the size of particles
1. Sandy Soil
Particles are larger in size.
The particles cannot fit close together and hence there is enough space among them.
It is not fit for vegetation as it does not retain water.
However, millets can be grown on sandy soil.
2. Clayey Soil
Particles are very small in size.
Very little space among the particles.
Water does not drain quickly through clayey soil because of less space among particles.
So, clayey soil is not well aerated and retains more water.
3. Loamy Soil
Particles are smaller than sand and larger than clay.
Loamy soil is the mixture of sandy soil, clayey soil and silt.
Silt is the deposit in river beds.
The soil has the right water holding capacity and is well aerated.
It is considered the best soil for the growth of plants.
SOIL PROFILE
The Soil Profile is defined as a verticle section of soil and it starts from the layer where organic matter can be seen to the layer where bedrocks are found.
Layers of Soil
1.O Layer :
It is the outermost layer and this layer is not the part of the soil profile. This layer mainly consists of decomposed material i.e. dried leaves, fallen branches, surface organisms, etc.
This layer is brown or black in colour.
Humus formation does not start here.
2.A Layer :
This is the most important layer because Humus formation starts here and it plays an important role in seed germination.
Many microorganisms like the earthworm, Fungi, Bacteria are found here.
This layer is most vulnerable to wind and water erosion.
3.E Layer :
This layer found below the O and E layer. It is lighter in colour and also rich in nutrition that is lynched from the above layers
4.B Layer :
This layer is found below O, A, E layers and rich in silicate clay, iron, aluminium and carbonates.
It is also known as Illuviation zone because of the presence of minerals.
5.C Layer :
This layer mainly consists of broken bedrock and no organic material. It mainly composed of sediments and geological material.
6.R Layer :
This layer consists of rock bed and rock type found here is basalt, granite and limestone.
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