Soil is the topmost gift of nature. It is the great asset of farmers. The whole agricultural production depends upon it. Rajasthan is an agriculture-based state and the supplementary occupation of people beside agriculture is animal rearing. It also increases the importance of soil.
Variation in natural environment gives birth to different types of soils. Climate, vegetation, time are the factors responsible for soil formation. Parent Rock, water, air and humus are four main components of soil.
Soil is a mixture of solid, liquid and gases which, is a result of inter-reaction among weathering of rocks, climate, plants and bacterias.
Types of soil found in Rajasthan: On the basis of colour, texture and fertility soils of Rajasthan is classified in five types.
1. Desert soil
(a) It is found in western Rajasthan in Jallore, Badurer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Churn, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, etc.
(b) It is less fertile.
(c) The main factor responsible for its formation is physical weathering. It is transferred due to wind from one place to another. It is saline and less holding capacity of water in it.
2. Red-Yellow soil
(a) It is found in western part of Sawai Madhopur, Sirohi, Bhilwara, Rajsamand and Udaipur.
(b) It is less fertile.
(c) It is formed due to disintegration of granite sheets and rocks.
(d) It lacks in lime and nitrogen.
(e) Due presence of iron it is red and yellow in colour.
(f) It is food for growing groundnut and cotton.
3. Laterite soil
(a) It is found in East part of Banswara, Udaipur, Chittorgarh and Bhilwara.
(b) It is fertile, but lacks in lime, nitrogen and phosphorous and rich in potash and chica.
(c) It is useful for growing cotton, sugarcane and maize.
4. Black soil
(a) It is found in south Eastern part of Rajasthan in Kota, Bundi, Baran and Jhalawar.
(b) It is domat soil rich in chica.
(c) It lacks in nitrogen but rich in potash and calcium.
(d) It is fertile and good for growing cash crops like sugarcane, cotton, rice and soyabeen.
5. Loamy soil
(a) It is found in North-Eastern part of Rajasthan in Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Dausa, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, Tonk, etc.
(b) It is light red and brown in colour. It is sandy domatile.
(c) It is fertile.
(d) Rich in potash, iron, phosphorus lime and lacks in nitrogen.
(e) It is good for growing wheat, mustard, tobacco, etc.
