π Topic 03 of 6 Β· Chapter 04 Β· Soils of India
Red & Yellow Soil of India
Distribution, properties, crops β complete notes for UPSC & PSC exams.
π± Red Soil β Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Formation | Weathering of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks (granite, gneiss) |
| Area covered | ~18% of India’s land area β 3rd most widespread |
| Distribution | Tamil Nadu, AP, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, MP, Rajasthan |
| Colour | Red due to iron oxide (FeβOβ); yellow when hydrated |
| Texture | Sandy to loamy; porous; friable |
| Fertility | Less fertile; deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus, humus, lime |
| pH | Acidic to neutral |
π± Why Red and Yellow?
- Red colour = presence of iron oxide (FeβOβ) β ferric iron in anhydrous form
- Yellow colour = iron in hydrated form (FeβOβΒ·HβO) β in lower layers or wetter areas
- The soil looks red on the surface but yellow in the lower horizons
πΎ Crops Grown in Red Soil
- Wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane, pulses, millets (jowar, bajra, ragi)
- Groundnut, potato, tobacco
- With irrigation and fertilizers, red soil can be made productive
- Ragi (finger millet) grows well in red soil β important crop of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
β Key Facts β Red & Yellow Soil:
β’ Red colour = iron oxide (FeβOβ) = ferric iron
β’ Formed from crystalline and metamorphic rocks (granite, gneiss)
β’ 3rd most widespread soil in India (~18%)
β’ Deficient in: Nitrogen, phosphorus, humus, lime
β’ Tamil Nadu has the largest area under red soil
β’ Responds well to irrigation and fertilizers
β’ Red colour = iron oxide (FeβOβ) = ferric iron
β’ Formed from crystalline and metamorphic rocks (granite, gneiss)
β’ 3rd most widespread soil in India (~18%)
β’ Deficient in: Nitrogen, phosphorus, humus, lime
β’ Tamil Nadu has the largest area under red soil
β’ Responds well to irrigation and fertilizers
π Red Soil vs Black Soil:
β’ Red soil = crystalline rocks = less fertile = porous = acidic
β’ Black soil = basaltic lava = more fertile = sticky = alkaline
β’ Red soil = eastern/southern Deccan; Black soil = western/central Deccan
β’ Red soil = crystalline rocks = less fertile = porous = acidic
β’ Black soil = basaltic lava = more fertile = sticky = alkaline
β’ Red soil = eastern/southern Deccan; Black soil = western/central Deccan