Soil

RED SOIL

• Red soil is found most extensively in the Jharkhand state.

• This is the main soil of Jharkhand.

• The red soil developed mostly in the region of the rocks - mainly Archean, granite and gneiss of

Archean age. The rocks of Archean age are found in 90% area of Jharkhand.

• Magnesium, phosphate, nitrogen and humus are found less in red soil while iron is found in

greater

quantities.

• Normally colour of this soil is red but it is also seen in yellow, brownish grey and very dark or

black

colour.

• Mica - mixed Red soil, is found in Hazaribagh and Koderma regions.

• Combination of red and black soil is found in some parts of Singhbhum and Dhanbad.

• Dark coloured soil is found in low lands. Due to the presence of clay in larger quantities, this is a

very

fertile soil.

• Red soil is mostly seen in uplands. Here, its colour is relatively light.

• This soil is suitable to grow millets, kodo, ground nuts, ragi, sugarcane, paddy etc.

BLACK (REGUR) SOIL

• This soil developed mainly in the region of Rajmahal trap.

• Iron, lime, magnesium and aluminium are found in larger quantities in this soil,while nitroQen,

organic elements and phosphoric acid are found in lesser quantities in this soil.

• Depth of black soil ranges from one feet to 50 feet.

• This soil is best for cultivation of cotton.

LATERITE SOIL

• There are three regions of laterite soil in Jharkhand - Pat region, eastern part of the Rajmahal

hill and

East Singhbhum.

• Silicate mixed with aluminum and iron is found in this soil while lesser portion of nitrogen and

potash is

found.

• This soil is not suitable from the agricultural point of view because its fertility is low. However,

ith the

help of irrigation and fertilizers rice, sugarcane, ragi etc. can be grown.

SANDY SOIL

• This type of soil is found extensively in the Damodar valley region .

• This soil is found mostly in Damodar valley-because Gondwana rocks are found here which

mainly

contains sand stones and sel.

• Iron content is more in this sail while limestone and humus, content is relatively less.

• This soil is less advantageous from the agricultural point of view.

ALLUVIUM

• This type of soil is new in Jharkhand. Soil profile has not developed in it.

• This soil has developed mainly in two areas in Jharkhand – 1) North western and northern &

eastern

corners of Sahebganj district and 2 ) eastern part of Pakur.

• Limestone and Potash are found in larger quantities while content of nitrogen and humus is less.

SOME OTHER TYPES OF SOILS

MICA SOIL

• This soil is found mainly in the mica belts of Koderma and Hazaribagh.

• Content of sand is higher in it.

UPLAND GREY-YELLOW SOIL

• This soil is found in the Palamau, Garhwa and Latehar plateau region .

• It is yellow and grey in colour.

METALLIC SOIL

• This soil is found in the southern part of West Singhbhum.

• This is suitable for animal husbandry.

SOIL WITH MULTIPLE FEATURES

• This is mostly found in some areas of west Singhbhum and Saraikela.

• Its colour is yellow in uplands and black in low lands.