Soils of Kerala- Facts about Kerala for Kerala PSC Exams

[sg_popup id=”1345″ event=”inherit”][/sg_popup]Soils of Kerala

Soil

  • Formed by weathering of rocks
  • Pedogenesis: Process of soil formation
  • Pedology: study of Soils

Soil type depends on;

  • Climate
  • Amount of rainfall
  • Topography
  • Types of rocks
  • Nature of weathering

Soils of Kerala

1.Red soil

2.Laterite soil

3.Black soil

4.Alluvium( coastal & riverine)

5.Forest soil

1.Red Soil

  • In southern parts of Trivandrum
  • Red colour : Hematite or anhydrous Ferric Oxide
  • Easily absorbs water
  • Deficient in soluble minerals

2. Laterite Soil

  • Single largest type in Kerala
  • Covers 68% of total area
  • Formed in : moist tropical regios
  • Due to weathering of granite & gneiss
  • Also weathering of sedimentary rocks
  • Occurs where hot & rainy season occurs alternatively
  • Cultivation: Rubber, pepper, cashew
  • In northern parts of Kerala

–Kozhikode, Kannu, Malappuram, &Kasargod

3. Black Soil

  • Found : Chittur taluk(palakkad)
  • Continuation of black cotton soil (Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu)
  • Low in organic matter
  • Neutral to moderately alkaline
  • pH= 7 to 8.5
  • High in clay content
  • Exhibit cracking during dry periods
  • Cotton,ground nut, sugar cane

4. Alluvial soil

Coastal alluvium

  • Seen : coastal tracts along Arabian sea(10 Km)
  • Marine origin
  • Composition: recent marine deposits, sand, silt
  • Low water retaining capacity
  • Not fertile
  • Riverine Alluvium

  • By denudation of rivers
  • Highly fertile
  • High water retaining capacity
  • Acidic I nature
  • Paddy, coconut,Arecanut,pepper, plantains, pulses, & vegetables

Onattukara Alluvium

  • Onattukara region
  • Kollam ( Karunagappally, Karthikapally, & Mavelikkara)
  • Alappuzha
  • Kuttanadu soil:

–Highly fertile & saline

–Kayal, Kari, Karappadam

Kuttanadu soil

  • Kayal : In & around lakes
  • Karappadam: upper Kuttanadu
  • Kari: ambalappuzha,Cherthala & Vaikkam taluks

–Highly acidic & saline

–Coconut , paddy & tapioca

5. Forest soil

  • Weathering of igneous & metamorphic rocks
  • Found : Idukki,wayanadu, & Palakkad
  • Crops: pepper,rubber, Tea, Coffee, Cardamom
  • Fertile
  • Acidic( pH: 5.5 to 6.3)

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Soils of Kerala

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