Soil is the most important component of agriculture. For an optimum yield of a crop, the availability of the best suitable soil is very important. Soil contains major nutrients which plants need during their vegetative and reproductive growth and useful microorganisms which can help the plant to fix nutrients and provide protection. That’s why it is very important to know which soil is suitable for agriculture.
Importance of Soil
A fertile soil can improve the total yield of the crop up to 100% and reduce the overall cultivation cost as well. To improve soil fertility farmers, add fertilizer to crops which is a major factor for increasing cultivation cost and total farmer expenses.
Soil also provides anchoring ability to plants so that they can penetrate their roots and can hold a good grip during environmental stresses and can stand still.
Moreover, soil provides moisture to plants by which plant can retain their turgor pressure and utilize the water to complete photosynthesis. Water being a primary component of photosynthesis has significant importance for plants which a plant can get through soil and rain.
Soil with better water holding capacity is assumed most efficient for crops that need high water quantity to grow. However, for crops needing less water quantity, this soil can be damaging and can result in yield decline and plant death.
However, soil composition varies the region and percentage of nutrients present in it. Not all the crops need the same composition therefore soil needs vary with the plants. Every crop has its own needs some need nitrogen in higher quantity than phosphorus and summer need phosphorus in higher quantity than nitrogen it solely depends on the soil composition.
Generally Asked Questions
Which Soil Is Suitable For Agriculture?
- Red soil ❌
- Black soil ✅
- Sand ❌
- Peaty soil ❌
Which Soil Is Suitable For Agriculture?
- Alluvial Soils ✅
- Red Soils ❌
- Sandy Soils ❌
- Peaty Soils ❌
Types of Soil and Crops
There are several types of soils that vary from region to region and fertility
Red Soil
Soil found in warm and temperate regions with a thin layer of organic minerals. It is suitable for crops like pulses, groundnut, millet, tobacco, and cotton.
Black Soil
Soil enriched with organic material with a black surface horizon. It suits best to crops like cotton, millet, tobacco, sugarcane, wheat, and oilseeds.
Sandy Soil
Soil low in nutrients with warm, dry, and acidic nature having a high proportion of sand. It is mainly used to grow melon and coconut.
Peaty Soil
Soil formed after the accumulation of partially decayed vegetation also known as peat. Blueberries and camellias can grow well in this type of soil.
Alluvial Soils
Soil deposited by surface water and need the least water due to its high porosity. Crops like rice, sugarcane, wheat, jute, maize, tobacco, soybean, cotton, and oilseeds can be grown in this soil.
Clay
Stick and dense soil change its structure with the weather and have more than 40% of clay. Crops e.g., paddy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cabbage.
Silty
Soil with high fertility percentage with a light texture and moisture retention capacity. Crops that can be grown are tomatoes, sage, hellebore, peonies, and roses.
Chalky
Lime-rich soils with a high composition of calcium carbonate and alkaline in nature. Soil suitable to crops poppies, cornflowers, and chamomile.
Loamy
Fertile soil with a mixed composition of sand, silt, and clay. This soil is among the best well-drained soils. There are two types of loam soil, clay-loam or sandy-loam, depending upon the percentage composition of components. Soil best for crops like cotton, wheat, jute, sugarcane, oilseeds, and pulses.
Desert Soil
Desert ground soils, also known as Aridisols (dry soil). Millets, maize, barley, melons, bell peppers, radishes, and carrots can be grown in this soil.
World soil day is celebrated to learn more about soil and create awareness of the importance of soil so that the farmers can utilize the resource properly.
