Soils of Odisha

Soils of Odisha

• Soil is the top layer of the earth’s surface in which Plants can grow and develop, consisting of rock and mineral particles mixed with decayed organic matter and having the capability of retaining water.
• Soil Profile The soil profile is defined as a vertical section of the soil that is exposed by a soil pit. A soil pit is a hole which is dug from the surface of the soil to the underlying bedrock.

Soil of Odisha

• Soils of Odisha are mainly developed by the relief, parent material, their feature and Climate. The biotic features, mainly the natural vegetation and their condition follow the climatic pattern.
• Soils of Odisha have been divided mainly into 8 broad soil groups which are given in detail here.

Red soils

• The main characteristic is coarse texture, single grained to weakly granular structured surface soil, highly porous with low available water holding capacity.
• Red soil covers about 7.14 million hectare of lands and being the highest coverage of all soil groups of the state, extend to the districts of Koraput, Rayagada, Nawrangpur, Malkanagiri, Keonjhar, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Bolangir, Dhenkanal and Mayurbhanj of the state.
• These conditions put severe limitations for rainfed farming.
• These soils lack salinity and do not contain any lime kankar or free carbonate.
• The red colour is due to presence of iron oxides in the soil.
• These soils are reasonably acidic.
• This soil is normally deficient in nitrogen, organic matter and molybdenum.
• Boron deficiency symptoms have been practical in vegatable crops.
• The added phosphorus is normally fixed in these soils due to presence of free iron and aluminium oxides.

Laterite and lateritic soils

• These soils contain lateritic mass within control section of the solil profile.
• Lateritic soils occupy 0.70 million hectare of lands in the districts of Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanja and Sambalpur.
• The lateritic mass is characterized by squashed to vesicular sometimes honey-combed structure, composed essentially of a mixture of hydrated oxides of iron and aluminium with small amount of manganese and titanium oxides and quartz as a compulsory diluent.
• These soils are extremely permeable and are poor in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium.
• They are normally acidic in nature.

Red and yellow soils

• They occur as a centenary association in undulating and rolling terrains which vary in depth, texture, colour and Cropping systems.
• These soils occupy 5 million hectare of lands being the second highest in area.
• These soils occur in the district of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Deogarh, and Sundargarh of the State.
• Soils of uplands are reasonably coarser in texture having red and yellowish red colour, shallow in depth and are well drained.
• Ferrugenous nodules are consistently met within these soils.
• Soils are relatively more acidic than those of lower reaches.
• The soils of low lying areas, particularly of bottom land situation are formed on colluvial, and alluvial deposits.
• These are of very fine texture, deep and show pale yellow greyish and olive shade of colour.
• They occasionally show effect of mottling because of submergence in monsoon and drying thereafter.
• The cropping systems followed in yellow soils is rice subsequently pulses/oilseeds with residual soil moisture or supplementary Irrigation and that followed in upland red soils is monocrop of pulses/oilseed/Millets.

Coastal salt affected alluvial soils

• Alluvial soils with high total soluble salts (Electrical conductivity greater than 4 mmhos/cm) are included under this group of soils.
• Nearly 0.254 million hectare of Saline Soils are distributed in the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Puri, Khurda and Ganjam.
• The salinity of soil may be because of littoral deposits or the incursions of brackish tidal water.
• The salts are chiefly composed of chlorides and sulphates of sodium, magnesium and to a lesser extent of calcium and potassium.
• Bicarbonates and carbonates are hardly ever found.
• Soils in lacustrine sediments of the lake Chilka also get exaggerated by salts due to flooding of brakish lake water during monsoon and a buildup of subsoil salinity due to high ground water table under low lying situation of the soil.

Deltic alluvial soils

• These soils have inconsistent texture ranging from coarse sands to clays, depending upon the geomorphology of flood plain and the type of alluvium carried by the flowing river.
• Those soils cover 0.67million hectare of lands and occur in the deltaic regions of the rivers such as Mahanadi, Brahamani, Baitarani, Subarnarekha and Rushikullya in the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Puri, Gajapati and Ganjam.
• The delta areas of the state show four well defined divisions from north to south  of the state such as

1. North Balsore Region having sandy or sandy loam soil,
2. Delta of Baitarani and Brahmani Region with soil varying from clay loam to stiff clay,
3. Delta of Mahanadi Region with soils stratified into clay, silt sand and grets and
4. Rushikulya Delta Region which is sandier in nature.

• These soils are normally fertile, but soils with low nitrogen and phosphorus are also found.
• The sandy alluviums of river Subarnarekha are deficit in potassium.

Black soils

• These are created due specific lithology or topography.
• These soils occur sporadically in the districts of Puri, Ganjam, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Bolangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Sambalpur, Bargarh and Angul
• The Black soil is covering an area of 96 million hectare of lands.
• Parent rocks of basic granulites, calc-gniess, pyroxenites and granodorites are favorable to formation of black soils.
• These rocks regularly contain plagioclases in appreciable amounts, which on weathering makes the soil Environment rich in calcium.
• A lime kankar zone at some depth in the profile and free carbonates are typically present.
• Soils display deep and wide cracks in summer seasons.
• The texture of the Black Soil is clay and the structure is angular blocky.
• The water infiltration in the soils is very slow and erosion on upland situation is relentless.
• Soils are low to moderate in nitrogen and potassium, rich in calcium.
• Soils are moderately alkaline (pH 7.5 to 8.5) in Nature.

Mixed red and black soils

• The soil occupies about 0.16 million hectare of lands in the western districts of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur and Bolangir
• Centenary configurations of such soils are encountered in areas of predominately red soils.
• Red soils usually occur on upland ridges, while black soils are found on lower topographic situations, due to enrichment of calcium on their exchange complex, fine textured colluvium and alluvium.

Brown forest soils

• These soils being associated with forest areas are distributed in the districts of Phulbani, Kandhamal, Rayagada and parts of Ganjam and Nayagarh and cover about 0.17 million hectare.
• These are mainly brown coloured, formed in connection with forest Growth.
• The organic matter is moderate to high in this type of soils.
• These are fertile, slightly acidic and are suited for horticultural crops in higher elevations of the state.

Agro-Calimatic Zone of Odisha and Soil

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Odisha is a state in eastern India. It is the 10th largest state in India by area and the 11th most populous state. The state is known for its rich culture and history. Odisha is also home to a variety of Soil Types, each with its own unique characteristics.

Alluvial soils are the most common type of soil in Odisha. They are found in the river valleys and coastal plains. Alluvial soils are rich in nutrients and are well-drained. They are ideal for growing a variety of crops, including rice, wheat, and sugarcane.

Black soils are also found in the river valleys and coastal plains. They are rich in organic matter and are well-drained. Black soils are ideal for growing Cotton, tobacco, and oilseeds.

Laterite soils are found in the hills and plateaus. They are poor in nutrients and are not well-drained. Laterite soils are ideal for growing coffee, tea, and rubber.

Red soils are found in the hills and plateaus. They are poor in nutrients and are not well-drained. Red soils are ideal for growing pulses, oilseeds, and spices.

Saline soils are found in the coastal areas. They are high in salt content and are not suitable for agriculture.

Sandy soils are found in the coastal areas and the uplands. They are low in nutrients and are not well-drained. Sandy soils are ideal for growing coconut, cashew, and mango.

The soils of Odisha are a valuable resource. They support a variety of crops and provide a habitat for a variety of plants and animals. The State Government is working to protect the soils of Odisha and to ensure that they are used sustainably.

The government has implemented a number of programs to protect the soils of Odisha. These programs include:

• Soil conservation: The government is working to prevent soil erosion and to improve Soil fertility.
• Watershed Management: The government is working to improve the management of water Resources in order to reduce soil erosion and to improve soil fertility.
• Afforestation: The government is planting trees in order to improve soil cover and to reduce soil erosion.
• Awareness campaigns: The government is conducting awareness campaigns to educate farmers about the importance of soil conservation and to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

The government’s efforts to protect the soils of Odisha are having a positive impact. The state’s soil resources are being used more sustainably and the risk of soil degradation is being reduced.

What are the different types of soils?

There are three main types of soils: sandy, loamy, and clayey. Sandy soils are made up of mostly sand particles, loamy soils are a mix of sand, silt, and clay particles, and clayey soils are made up mostly of clay particles.

What are the characteristics of each type of soil?

Sandy soils are loose and well-drained, but they don’t hold water or nutrients very well. Loamy soils are a good mix of sand, silt, and clay particles, and they hold water and nutrients well. Clayey soils are very dense and hold water and nutrients very well, but they can be difficult to work with.

What are the benefits of each type of soil?

Sandy soils are good for growing plants that don’t need a lot of water, such as cacti and succulents. Loamy soils are good for growing a variety of plants. Clayey soils are good for growing plants that need a lot of water, such as rice and potatoes.

What are the drawbacks of each type of soil?

Sandy soils can be difficult to grow plants in because they don’t hold water or nutrients very well. Loamy soils are good for growing a variety of plants, but they can be difficult to work with if they are too wet or too dry. Clayey soils are good for growing plants that need a lot of water, but they can be difficult to work with and they can be prone to erosion.

How can I improve the quality of my soil?

There are a few things you can do to improve the quality of your soil:

• Add compost or manure to your soil. This will add nutrients and organic matter to your soil.
• Aerate your soil. This will help to improve drainage and make it easier for plants to grow.
• test your soil. This will help you to determine what nutrients your soil needs.
• Add lime to your soil. This will help to adjust the pH of your soil.
• Mulch your soil. This will help to protect your soil from erosion and keep it moist.

What are some common soil problems?

Some common soil problems include:

• Erosion: This is when the soil is washed away by water or blown away by wind.
• Salinity: This is when the soil has too much salt in it.
• Acidity: This is when the soil has too much acid in it.
• Alkalinity: This is when the soil has too much alkali in it.
• Compaction: This is when the soil is too dense and hard for plants to grow in.

How can I prevent soil problems?

There are a few things you can do to prevent soil problems:

• Avoid planting in areas that are prone to erosion.
• Mulch your soil. This will help to protect your soil from erosion and keep it moist.
• Test your soil. This will help you to determine what nutrients your soil needs.
• Add lime to your soil. This will help to adjust the pH of your soil.
• Aerate your soil. This will help to improve drainage and make it easier for plants to grow.
• Plant cover crops. Cover crops help to protect the soil from erosion and add nutrients to the soil.
• Use organic Farming practices. Organic Farming practices help to improve the Health of the soil and reduce the risk of soil problems.

1. Which of the following is not a type of soil?
   (A) Alluvial soil
   (B) Black soil
   (C) Red soil
   (D) Mountain soil

2. Which of the following is the most fertile type of soil?
   (A) Alluvial soil
   (B) Black soil
   (C) Red soil
   (D) Mountain soil

3. Which of the following is the most common type of soil in India?
   (A) Alluvial soil
   (B) Black soil
   (C) Red soil
   (D) Mountain soil

4. Which of the following is the least fertile type of soil?
   (A) Alluvial soil
   (B) Black soil
   (C) Red soil
   (D) Mountain soil

5. Which of the following is the best type of soil for growing rice?
   (A) Alluvial soil
   (B) Black soil
   (C) Red soil
   (D) Mountain soil

6. Which of the following is the best type of soil for growing wheat?
   (A) Alluvial soil
   (B) Black soil
   (C) Red soil
   (D) Mountain soil

7. Which of the following is the best type of soil for growing sugarcane?
   (A) Alluvial soil
   (B) Black soil
   (C) Red soil
   (D) Mountain soil

8. Which of the following is the best type of soil for growing tea?
   (A) Alluvial soil
   (B) Black soil
   (C) Red soil
   (D) Mountain soil

9. Which of the following is the best type of soil for growing coffee?
   (A) Alluvial soil
   (B) Black soil
   (C) Red soil
   (D) Mountain soil

10. Which of the following is the best type of soil for growing rubber?
    (A) Alluvial soil
    (B) Black soil
    (C) Red soil
    (D) Mountain soil