Our soil – Class 4

What is soil?

How is soil formed?

• Soil is formed when rocks break down into very small pieces.
• The pieces further break down into sand and silt.
• Water, wind ,temperature change etc help in soil formation.
• It takes thousands of years to form very thin layer of soil.
• Soil is carried out to different places by running water and wind.

What is soil fertility ?

• Soil fertility is the ability of the soil to help  in the growth of plant.
• Manure and fertilizers are added to the soil to increase its fertility.
• Fertile soil produces more crops.

Types of soil in India

Alluvial soil

• Alluvial soil is the most fertile soil.
• Alluvial soil is formed when river deposits silt along its Bank.
• Alluvial soil is found in the Northern and the coastal plains.
• Rice wheat jute and vegetables grow well in this soil.

Black soil

• Black soil is formed from Lava rocks.
• Black soil is black in colour.
• It is also called as Black Lava soil.
• Black soil is found in Maharashtra Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
• It holds large amount of water or moisture.
• Crops like Cotton sugarcane wheat and oil seeds grow in this soil.

Red soil

• This soil is less fertile.
• This soil is generally found in warm and moist climate.
• In India it is found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and the Northeastern States.
• The lowermost layer red soil is dark in colour and very fertile.
• Proper use of fertilizers and irrigation high production of cotton, wheat, rice, millets and pulses.

Laterite soil

• Laterite soil is formed when minerals are washed away from the soil due to heavy rainfall.
• This soil is rich in iron and Aluminium.
• Laterite soil is found in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya.
• Laterite soil when properly manure can be used to grow tea, coffee,  rubber, coconut and fruits.

Mountain soil

• Mountain soil is very rich in humus.
• Mountain soil is found on the hill slopes in Jammu Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal Arunachal Pradesh.
• Tea, coffee, wheat, maize and tropical fruits are grown in such soil.

Also Check – What is Humus? Exploring the Heart of Healthy Soil

Desert soil

• Desert soil is Sandy and infertile.
• Desert soil is found in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• If water irrigation is available millets, barley, wheat, pulses and cotton can be grown in such soil.

What is soil erosion?

• Soil erosion is the process in which topsoil is removed by rainwater and wind.
• Soil loses fertility due to erosion.
• Soil erosion is harmful for the fertility of soil.

Also Check – Soil Erosion: Types, Causes, Effects, and Prevention Explained

What is soil conservation?

• Do not cut the trees
• Plant more trees
• Do not keep the field Barren
• Stop Overgrazing of land
• Use manure or natural fertilizers instead of artificial fertilizers.