Features of Red and Yellow Soil
Following are the characteristics of red and yellow soil:-
Red soil is quite porous in nature and contains a high percentage of iron oxide.
Red soil is shallow and has a pH value ranging from 6.6 to 8.0.
Red soil is found to be infertile, however, it does respond to fertilizers
Both red soil and yellow soil are poor growing soils, humus and low in nutrients
These soils are difficult to cultivate since they have lower water holding capacity.
Where are Red and Yellow Soil Found?
Red yellow soil is found in the large tracts of Western Tamil Nadu, Southern Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Chhota Nagpur, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and plateau of Jharkhand.
Red soils are chiefly encountered on the crystalline igneous rocks in regions of low rainfall in the southern and eastern parts of the Deccan Plateau.
These soils tend to establish a reddish hue simply because of the diffusion of iron in rocks (crystalline and metamorphic). The soil starts to look yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form.
Introduction Red to Yellow Soils
Apart from the features of red and yellow soil, there is some factual information about these soils which is as below;-
Red and yellow soils are basically found over extensive non alluvial tracts of peninsular India.
These soils are composed of acidic rocks such as gneiss, granite, and schist.
Red and yellow soils develop in areas in which rainfall drains soluble minerals out of the ground and outcomes in a loss of chemically based constituents; further leading to a corresponding proportional increase in oxidized iron executing a reddish hue to many such soils.
As a result of oxidation, these soils are commonly described as ferralitic soils.
In acute cases, the concentration of oxides of iron results in the formation of a hard crust, in which case they are defined as lateritic (for later, the Latin term implying “brick”) soils.
The highly leached red to yellow soils are distilled in the massive-rainfall areas of the western Kathiawar Peninsula, the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats, eastern Rajasthan region, the Chota Nagpur plateau, and other upland tracts of northeastern India.
Less-leached red to yellow soils develop in areas of low rainfall in the immediate east of the Western Ghats in the dry interior of the Deccan.
Red-to-yellow soils are generally not fertile, but that issue is partly improved in forested tracts, where recycling of nutrients and the concentration of humus enables restoring fertility in the topsoil.
Introduction to Black Soils
In the midst of in situ soils of India, the black soils found in the lava-covered areas are the most noticeable. Those soils are most commonly referred to as regur but are widely known as “black cotton soils,” seeing that cotton has been an accustomed traditional crop in areas where they are found.
Where is Black Soil Found?
Black soils are derivatives of trap lava and are spread widely across the interior Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and on the Deccan lava plateau and the Malwa Plateau of Madhya Pradesh, where there is both underlying basaltic rock and moderate rainfall.
How is Black Soil Developed?
Due to the presence of their high clay content, black soils develop huge cracks during the dry season, but their iron-rich granular composition makes them resistant to wind and water erosion. They are poor in humus but still highly moisture-retentive, therefore well responsive to irrigation. Black soils are also found on various peripheral tracts where the underlying basalt has been moved from its original position by fluvial processes. The moving though results in an increased concentration of clastic (chalky sedimentary) contents.
Introduction to Alluvial Soils
Allvial soil is widespread but they are most found throughout the Indo-Gangetic Plain and along the lower courses of nearly all the country’s major rivers (particularly the deltas along the east coast). The nondeltaic plains along India’s coasts are also characterized by the slender ribbons of alluvium.
Where is Alluvial Soil Found?
New alluvium known as the khadar is found on much of the Indo-Gangetic floodplain. It is highly fertile and uniform in texture; in opposition to, the old alluvium on the minutely elevated terraces, called the bhangar, carries patches of alkaline efflorescences, known as the usar, manifesting some areas infertile. In the Ganges basin, sandy aquifers bearing an expansive reserve of groundwater make sure for irrigation and also enable making the plain the most agriculturally productive area of the country.
Fun Facts on Red Yellow Soil
Red soils are formed on crystalline igneous rocks in regions of low rainfall in the eastern and southern areas of the Deccan Plateau.
Soils appear yellow when they develop in a hydrated form.
FAQs on Red to Yellow Soil
1. What exactly is red and yellow soil?
Red and yellow soil is a type of soil that develops on crystalline igneous rocks in areas with relatively low rainfall. It is mainly found in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan Plateau. Its distinct red colour comes from the presence of iron, and it appears yellow when it absorbs water.
2. What are the main characteristics of red and yellow soil?
The key characteristics of red and yellow soil are:
- Colour: It is reddish due to a high concentration of iron oxides. It looks yellow when it is in a hydrated (wet) form.
- Texture: It can range from sandy to clayey and loamy, which affects its water-holding capacity.
- Nutrient Content: This soil is typically poor in essential nutrients like humus, phosphorus, and nitrogen.
- Formation: It is formed from the weathering of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks like granite and gneiss.
3. In which states of India is red and yellow soil primarily found?
Red and yellow soil covers a large part of India. It is primarily found in states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and parts of Jharkhand. It also occurs in the southern parts of the middle Ganga plain.
4. What types of crops can be grown in red and yellow soil?
While naturally not very fertile, red and yellow soil can be productive with the help of fertilisers and proper irrigation. The main crops grown in this soil include wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane, pulses, and millets like jowar and bajra.
5. How is red and yellow soil formed?
Red and yellow soil is formed through the process of weathering. It originates from old crystalline and metamorphic rocks, such as granites and gneisses. Over long periods, these rocks break down due to climatic conditions, resulting in the formation of this soil.
6. Why does red soil turn yellow when it gets wet?
The red colour of the soil is due to the wide diffusion of iron in its crystalline form. When the soil absorbs water and becomes hydrated, a chemical change occurs in the iron oxide. This hydration process turns the soil from a reddish to a yellowish colour. It's the same soil, but its colour changes with moisture content.
7. Is red soil fertile, and how can its fertility be improved?
No, red soil is generally not very fertile on its own. It is naturally deficient in key nutrients like nitrogen, humus, and phosphorus, which are essential for plant growth. However, its productivity can be significantly improved by using chemical fertilisers, organic manure, and providing regular irrigation to support crop cultivation.
8. What is the main difference between red soil and laterite soil?
Although both can be reddish, they are very different. Red soil is formed by the weathering of crystalline rocks in low-rainfall areas. In contrast, laterite soil is formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall, which leads to intense leaching (washing away) of nutrients, leaving behind iron and aluminium oxides.
