Soil of Assam

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The soils of Assam are very rich in content of nitrogen and organic matter. The alluvial soils of the Brahmaputra and the Barak valley are highly fertile and are very much suitable for raising of varieties of crops round the year such as Cereals, pulses, oilseeds, Plantation Crops etc. The well drained, deep, acidic alluvial soils of upper Assam with good proportion of phosphoric content are mostly for the plantation. New alluvial soils occurring in the charlands of the Brahmaputra are most suitable for growing oilseeds, pulses and Rabi Crops. The alluvium of the plains offers excellent opportunity for cultivating rice and vegetable. The soils occurring in the upper reaches of the hill slopes are very suitable for Horticulture-2/”>Horticulture and plantation crops.

The major soils of Assam belong to Inceptisols (49.3%), Entisols (32.3%), Alfisols (12.3%) and Ultisols (6.1%)

The most typical characteristics of Assam Soil is acidity, where pH of the soils generally ranges between 4.2 to 5.8. Organic matter content of majority soils is medium to high.The available N, P2O5 and K2O content of the soils of Assam varies between medium and low.

Soils of Assam is further classified as Red Loam Soil, Alluvial Soil and Lateritic Soil – these three Types of Soil mainly found in Assam State. Red Loam Soil is found the places like Garo, Mizo Hills, Cachar (part of), Khasi-Jaintia Hills and Sibsagar of Assam. Lateritic Soil is found in Part of Shibsagar, Jaintia Hills, Khasi Hills, Cachar (part of) and Nowgaon. Alluvial Soil covers entire Darrang, Kamrup, Lakhinpur,Goalpara, Sibsagar and part of Garo Hills. Besides these Piedmont soils, Hill soils are also found here.

1) Alluvial Soils:

The alluvial soils are extensively distributed over the Brahmaputra and Barak plain. These soils are very fertileas they formed from the alluvium deposits, deposited by the rivers Brahmaputra, Barak and their tributaries. The alluvial soils of Assam can be further be divided into two sub-types base on some micro differences in character such as younger alluvium and old alluvium.

The younger alluvial soil occurs in an extensive belt of the north-bank and south-bank plains including the active flood plains of the Brahmaputra and the Barak rivers. This soil characterized by recent deposition of alluvium, moderately deep to very deep with grey to molted grey colour . It is mostly composed of sandy to silty loams and slightly acidic in nature. On the riverbanks it is less acidic and sometimes nutral or slightly alkaline. The soil lack in prifile development and is deficient in phosphoric acid, nitrogen and humus.

The old alluvial soil occurs in some patches of Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamrup, Darrang, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur and dhemaji districts between the northern piedmont soil belt and the southern new alluvial soils of the Brahmaputra valley. In the south bank districts of the valley it occurs in a narrow belt bounded between the southern hill soils and northern new alluvial soils. In the Kopili plain covering Nagaon district the old alluvium finds wider extension. The Barak plain, on the other hand, has some elongated patches of old alluvial soil confined between the new alluvial soils of the active floodplain and the hill soils boardering Mizoram. Generally the old alluvial soil is very deep, brownish to yellowish brown with texture of fine loams to coarse loams and is slightly to moderately acidic.

2) Piedmont Soils:

The piedmont soils are confined to the northern narrow zone along the piedmont zone of the Himalayan foothills. These soils comprise the Bhabar soil and the Tarai soil, covering respectively the Bhabar and the Tarai belt of the Brahmaputra valley. The Bhabar soil occurs in the narrow belt along the Assam-Arunachal boarder extending east up to the river Subansiri is characterized by unassorted detritus of boulders, pebbles, cobbles, sand and silts. This soil is deep and fine to clay loamy in texture. The Tarai soil occurring just south of the Bhabar soil extends up to Dihang river in some discontinuous narrow patches.This soil varies from sandy to silty loams that remain saturated and support tall Grasses in a series of swamps.

3) Hill Soils:

The hill soils are generally found in the southern hilly terrains of the state. The fertility of these soils defers greatly in different regions. These soils are rich in nitrogen and organic matters. On the basis of the physical texture and chemical composition, the hill soils may be divided into red Sandy soils and red loamy soils. The red sandy soils are distributed covering as narrow belt along the Assam- Meghalaya border, the Karbi Plateau, southern part of Barail range of the N.C.Hill district and some parts of the foothills along the eastern border of the Cachar district. This soil is very deep and well drained, brownish to yellowish in colour, strongly to moderately acidic with high organic content. The red loamy soils, on the other hand, occurs in the narrow southern foothill belt running along the Assams boarder with Arunachal and Nagaland and also in the southern fringes of the Karbi Plateau and the Barail hills of N.C.Hills district. These soils are very deep, dark grayish brown to yellowish red and fine to coarse loamy. Red loamy soils are slightly to moderately acidic and these lack in nitrogen, phosphoric acid, humus and lime.

4) Lateritic Soils:

The lateritic soils in the state extensively occurs almost entirely over the N.C.Hills district covering some parts of southern Karbi Plateau while few patches are confined to eastern margin of the Hamren sub-division of KarbeAnglong district, southern boarder of Golaghat district and the northern part of the Barak plain along the foothills of the Barail range. These soils are dark and finely texture with heavy loams and deficient in nitrogen, potash, phosphoric acid and lime.,

Soil is a complex and dynamic natural resource that is essential for life on Earth. It provides a medium for plant Growth, helps to regulate the Climate, and filters and stores water. Soil is also a major source of nutrients and Minerals for Plants and animals.

The soil of Assam is a diverse and complex system that is influenced by a variety of factors, including climate, geology, vegetation, and human activity. The state’s soils are classified into six major types: alluvial, red lateritic, lateritic, sandy, saline, and saline-alkali.

Alluvial soils are the most common type of soil in Assam. They are formed from the deposition of sediments by rivers and streams. Alluvial soils are typically fertile and well-drained.

Red lateritic soils are found in the hilly areas of Assam. They are formed from the weathering of Igneous Rocks. Red lateritic soils are typically acidic and low in nutrients.

Lateritic soils are found in the lowlands of Assam. They are formed from the weathering of limestone and sandstone. Lateritic soils are typically acidic and low in nutrients.

Sandy soils are found in the coastal areas of Assam. They are formed from the weathering of sandstone and quartz. Sandy soils are typically low in nutrients and organic matter.

Saline Soils are found in the areas that are affected by seawater intrusion. They are characterized by high levels of salt. Saline soils are typically infertile and difficult to cultivate.

Saline-alkali soils are found in the areas that are affected by both seawater intrusion and high levels of Evaporation. They are characterized by high levels of salt and alkali. Saline-alkali soils are typically infertile and difficult to cultivate.

The soil of Assam is under threat from a variety of factors, including deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable agricultural practices. These activities can lead to soil erosion, soil degradation, and Soil Pollution.

Soil erosion is the removal of soil from the land by wind or water. It can be caused by natural processes, such as floods and storms, or by human activities, such as deforestation and agriculture. Soil erosion can lead to a loss of topsoil, which is the most fertile layer of soil. It can also lead to the loss of nutrients and organic matter, which are essential for plant growth.

Soil degradation is the decline in the quality of soil. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including soil erosion, Salinization, and acidification. Soil degradation can make it difficult or impossible to grow crops.

Soil pollution is the contamination of soil by harmful substances. It can be caused by a variety of sources, including industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and urban runoff. Soil pollution can make the soil unsafe for human Health and for the Environment.

There are a number of things that can be done to protect the soil of Assam. These include:

Reforestation: Planting trees helps to prevent soil erosion and improve soil quality.
Grazing management: Overgrazing can damage the soil and lead to erosion. Grazing management practices can help to protect the soil.
Sustainable agricultural practices: Sustainable agricultural practices, such as Crop Rotation and cover Cropping, can help to protect the soil and improve soil quality.
Soil conservation: Soil conservation practices, such as terracing and contour farming, can help to prevent soil erosion.
Soil remediation: Soil remediation practices can help to clean up contaminated soil.

The soil of Assam is a valuable resource that needs to be protected. By taking steps to prevent soil erosion, soil degradation, and soil pollution, we can ensure that the soil will be healthy and productive for future generations.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about soil:

What is soil?
Soil is a mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, air, and living organisms. It is the foundation of life on Earth, providing plants with the nutrients they need to grow.
What are the different types of soil?
There are many different types of soil, but they can be broadly divided into three categories: mineral soils, organic soils, and mixed soils. Mineral soils are the most common type of soil and are made up of minerals from rocks and other materials. Organic soils are made up of decaying plant and animal matter. Mixed soils are a combination of mineral and organic soils.
What are the properties of soil?
The properties of soil vary depending on the type of soil, but some of the most important properties include texture, structure, pH, and fertility. Texture refers to the size of the particles in the soil. Structure refers to the way the particles are arranged in the soil. pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. Fertility refers to the ability of the soil to support plant growth.
What are the benefits of healthy soil?
Healthy soil provides many benefits, including:
It supports plant growth. Soil provides plants with the nutrients they need to grow.
It filters water. Soil filters water and helps to prevent pollution.
It stores carbon. Soil stores carbon, which helps to mitigate Climate Change.
It supports Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity. Soil supports a wide variety of plants and animals.
What are the threats to healthy soil?
There are many threats to healthy soil, including:
Deforestation. Deforestation removes trees, which play an important role in maintaining healthy soil.
Agriculture. Agriculture can damage soil through practices such as Tillage and the use of pesticides and Fertilizers.
Mining. Mining can remove minerals from the soil, which can damage Soil Structure and fertility.
Urbanization. Urbanization can lead to the loss of soil through development and the compaction of soil by vehicles.
What can be done to protect healthy soil?
There are many things that can be done to protect healthy soil, including:
Plant trees. Trees help to maintain healthy soil by providing shade, preventing erosion, and adding organic matter to the soil.
Reduce soil disturbance. Tillage and other practices that disturb the soil can damage soil structure and fertility.
Use Sustainable Agriculture practices. Sustainable agriculture practices can help to protect soil by reducing erosion, conserving water, and using organic matter to improve Soil fertility.
Conserve water. Water conservation can help to reduce soil erosion and improve soil health.
Reduce pollution. Pollution from sources such as agriculture, Industry, and transportation can damage soil.
Educate others about the importance of healthy soil. Education can help people to understand the importance of healthy soil and the threats to soil health.
What is the future of soil?
The future of soil is uncertain. Soil is facing many threats, but there are also many things that can be done to protect it. It is important to educate people about the importance of healthy soil and the threats to soil health. We need to work together to protect our soil for future generations.

Sure. Here are some MCQs on the topics of soil, climate, and vegetation of Assam:

Which of the following is the most common type of soil in Assam?
(A) Alluvial soil
(B) Red soil
(C) Laterite soil
(D) Peat soil
The climate of Assam is characterized by:
(A) hot, humid summers and cool, dry winters
(B) hot, humid summers and wet, cool winters
(C) cool, dry summers and hot, humid winters
(D) cool, dry summers and wet, cool winters
The main vegetation type in Assam is:
(A) tropical rainforest
(B) tropical deciduous forest
(C) temperate forest
(D) coniferous forest
Which of the following is a major river in Assam?
(A) Brahmaputra
(B) Ganges
(C) Indus
(D) Yamuna
Which of the following is the capital of Assam?
(A) Guwahati
(B) Dibrugarh
(C) Silchar
(D) Jorhat
Assam is a state in:
(A) India
(B) China
(C) Bangladesh
(D) Myanmar
The Population of Assam is about:
(A) 30 million
(B) 35 million
(C) 40 million
(D) 45 million
The main language spoken in Assam is:
(A) Assamese
(B) Bengali
(C) Hindi
(D) English
The main religion in Assam is:
(A) Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism
(B) Islam
(C) Christianity
(D) Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism
Assam is known for its production of:
(A) tea
(B) oil
(C) rice
(D) timber