✅ Soil map of India ✅ *Alluvial Soil* *Formation*: Deposited by rivers; mainly Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra plains. *Regions*: Northern plains, parts of Gujarat, coastal areas. *Types:* Bhangar (older), Khadar (newer). *Features:* Fertile, rich in potash, poor in nitrogen. *Crops:* Rice, wheat, sugarcane, pulses. ✅*2. Black Soil (Regur Soil)* *Formation:* Weathering of basalt (Deccan Trap). *Regions:* Maharashtra, MP, Gujarat, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. *Features:* Clayey, moisture-retentive, rich in lime & iron, poor in phosphorus. *Crops:* Cotton (hence “Black Cotton Soil”), oilseeds, millets. ⸻ *✅3. Red Soil* *Formation:* Weathering of ancient crystalline rocks. *Regions*: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh. *Features*: Reddish due to iron, low fertility, porous. *Crops*: Groundnut, millets, pulses. ⸻ ✅*4. Laterite Soil* *Formation:* Intense leaching in heavy rainfall areas. *Regions:* Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, NE states, parts of MP and Odisha. *Features:* Poor in nutrients, acidic, good for plantation crops if manured. *Crops:* Tea, coffee, cashew, rubber. ⸻ ✅*5. Arid/Desert Soil* *Regions*: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab. *Features:* Sandy, low moisture retention, saline in some places. *Improvement*: Fertile with irrigation (Indira Gandhi Canal). *Crops:* Bajra, barley, pulses. ⸻ ✅*6. Forest Soil* Regions: Himalayan slopes, Western & Eastern Ghats. Features: Varies with altitude; rich in organic matter in lower slopes. Crops: Temperate fruits, tea in NE. ⸻ ✅*7. Peaty & Marshy Soil* *Regions*: Kerala, coastal West Bengal, Odisha. *Features*: High organic matter, acidic, poor drainage. *Use*: Suitable for rice and jute. ⸻ ✅ 8*. Saline & Alkaline Soil* Cause: Poor drainage, excessive irrigation. Regions: Arid & semi-arid regions, especially UP, Punjab, Haryana. Gypsum treatment, proper drainage.