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Laterite Soil/Red Soil Bricks made by laterite soil on fields

Laterites are soil types rich in iron and aluminium, formed
in hot and wet tropical areas. This soil is poor in lime
content and hence it is more acidic. It is basically red in
colour because of the presence of iron oxides. Laterite soil
is well developed in the southern region of Western Ghats
and Odisha`s Eastern Ghats. Laterite soil contains least
moisture content. They are commonly found in Kerala,
Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and hilly areas of
Orissa and Assam.

Mountain Soil

Mountain soils are formed as a result of the
accumulation of organic matter derived
from forest growth. They are mainly found
in dry and cold districts in the northern
region of India.

Desert Soil Fruits growing in mountain soil

Desert soils are found in the desert regions of Rajasthan. They are not well developed soils. As
evaporation is in excess of rainfall, the soil has a high salt content and saline layer forms a hard
crust. These soils are basically sandy and are of light brown and reddish colour.

Soil Erosion

Soil erosion is a natural process that affects all landforms. In agriculture, soil erosion refers to the
wearing away of a field's topsoil by the natural physical forces of water and wind or through forces
associated with farming activities such as tillage. Soil erosion can be a slow process that continues
relatively unnoticed or can occur at an alarming rate, causing serious loss of topsoil.
Erosion occurs when farming practices are not compatible with the fact that soil can be washed
away or blown away. These practices are:
• Overstocking and overgrazing.
• Inappropriate farming techniques such as deep ploughing land 2 or 3 times a year to

produce annual crops.
• Lack of crop rotation.
• Planting crops down the contour instead of along it.

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