Soils and Crops

Definition of Soil

Soil is a natural resource comprising of mineral particles, organic matter, various microorganisms, water and air that forms the upper layer of the Earth's crust. Soil serves as a critical medium for plant growth which is necessary for sustenance of terrestrial life.


Soils: Facts to remember

Fact to remember Type of Soil
The soil most common in Indo-gangetic plainsAlluvial Soil
The soil which swells when wet and develops cracks when dryBlack Soil
The soil which owes its colour to oxides of ironLaterite Soil
The soil which requires least use of fertilisersAlluvial Soil
The soil which requires least tilling because of its characteristic of self-ploughingBlack Soil
The kind of soil which is treated with gypsum to make it suitable for croppingAlkaline soil
The soil which is poor in soluble saltsLaterite
The soil which is rich in surface accumulation of organic matterPeaty soil
The soil which is most suitable for cultivation of cottonBlack Soil
Khadar and Bhangar are types of Alluvial Soil
The soil which also known as Regur SoilBlack Soil
The soil which is generally unfit for cultivationLaterite Soil
The soil which is commonly used for making bricksLaterite Soil

Formation of Soils

Type of SoilHow formed
Alluvial SoilBy silt deposition brought by rivers.
Black SoilBy weathering of lava deposits on the Deccan Plateau.
Red and Yellow SoilBy weathering old crystalline or metamorphic rocks.
Laterite SoilDue to leaching by heavy rains and destruction of humus by bacteria.
Arid SoilBy weathering of rocks in dry conditions.
Saline SoilBy salt deposition by tides, rivers or sea breeze.
Peaty SoilDue to accumulation of larges amounts of organic matter in the soil.

Definition of Crop

A crop is a cultivated plant or agricultural produce that is grown and harvested for food, feed, fiber, medicinal plants, and other uses. Crops are intentionally cultivated by humans for various purposes, and they form the basis of agriculture, providing sustenance and raw materials for numerous industries.


Types of Crops

Crops may be classified by the use they are put by people growing them. Broadly, they may be classified as under:

  • Food crops: Grains, cereals, vegetables, fruits etc.
  • Fodder crops: Grasses, corn etc.
  • Fiber crops: Jute, cotton etc.
  • Oil crops: Sunflower, canola etc.
  • Beverage crops: Tea, coffee etc.
  • Industrial crops: Tobacco, rubber etc.

Crops : Points to remember

Point to remember Crop
The crop which requires water-logging for its cultivationRice
The crop best suited in areas where rain falls only for two monthsPulses
The ideal crop for areas with rainfall above 200 cm and sloping hillsTea
The crop which requires a large amount of rainfall and no standing waterTea
The plants which are best for biological nitrogen fixation of the soilLegumes
The crops grown for sale in the market (as against consumption by the farmer) are known asCash crops

Crop Seasons in India

Cropping Season Period Major Crops
KharifJune to OctoberRice, millets
RabiNovember to MarchWheat, barley, mustard
ZaidMarch to JuneWater melon, cucumber, musk melon, sugarcane
Kharif means autumn in Arabic and kharif crops are harvested in winter, Rabi means spring in Arabic and rabi crops are harvested in spring (March)