2. SOIL
Soil is a crucial
natural resource,
essential for
plant growth,
agriculture, and
ecosystem
support.
3. Formation
of soil
The soil is formed by the
breakdown of rocks at or near
the surface of the earth
through various physical,
chemical and biological
processes by various factors
such as the sun, water, wind
and even living organisms.
4. Remains of dead plants and
animals mix with the soil to
make it fertile.
It takes a more than a hundred
years for nature to make just
one centimeter of soil.
7. Characteristics : Very fertile,
formed by the deposition of
large quantities of silt or
alluvium brought down by
rivers from mountains.
Region : found in Northern
Plains and river deltas.
Uses : Good for crops like
rice, wheat, sugarcane,
pulses, and oilseeds.
Alluvial Soil
8. Black / Regur Soil
Characteristics : Formed by
breakdown of lava; rich and
fertile.
Regions : Found in Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh, Telangana,
Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat,
Karnataka, and Rajasthan.
Uses : Ideal for cotton and
sugarcane
9. Red Soil Characteristics: Rich in iron,
red color; can be improved
with manure.
Regions: Found in parts of
Southern Plateau.
Uses: Suitable for crops like
jowar, bajra, and groundnut.
10. Laterite Soil Characteristics: Found in areas
with heavy rainfall; nutrient-poor
but improved with manure.
Regions: Found in Kerala, Tamil
Nadu.
Uses: Good for tea, coffee, spices,
coconut, and rubber.
11. Desert Soil
Characteristics: Sandy, low
fertility, limited water retention.
Regions: Found in Rajasthan and
Gujarat.
Uses: Generally unsuitable for
crops due to low fertility.
12. Mountain Soil Characteristics: Rich in
humus and nutrients.
Regions: Found in the
Himalayas and northeastern
India.
Uses: Suitable for fruits like
apple, pear, peach, and plum.
15. Soil erosion is the process where
the fertile top layer of soil is
carried away by wind or water.
Impact: Leads to infertility in
land, making it less productive
for farming.
Introduction to Soil Erosion
16. Causes of
Soil Erosion
• Wind and Water: Major forces that
move soil to new locations.
• Deforestation: Cutting down trees
removes roots that help hold the
soil together, increasing erosion.
• Human Activities: Construction
and farming practices that leave
soil exposed contribute to erosion.
17. Effects of
Soil
Erosion
• Land Infertility: Loss of
nutrients in soil reduces its
ability to support plant life.
• Environmental Impact: Can
lead to loss of natural habitats
and increase in pollution due
to sediment in water bodies.
18. Methods
to Prevent
Soil
Erosion
• Afforestation: Planting trees
to bind the soil together.
• Covering Bare Land: Using
grass or dried vegetation to
protect soil.
• Terrace Farming: Creating
steps on hillsides to slow
down water flow.
• Embankments: Building walls
along rivers to prevent soil
washout.
