Table of Contents:
- Formation of Arid soils
- Distribution of Arid Soils in India
- Characteristics of Arid Soils
Formation of Arid soils
- Arid soils are developed in an arid zone where evaporation is very much higher than the precipitation and there is a significant difference in diurnal temperature.
- Due to higher evaporation than precipitation, capillary action takes place and salt from a lower profile came up in the upper profile.
- Due to the larger diurnal temperature differences, rocks disintegrated because of thermal weathering, and weathering particles are transported and deposited by the action of air. Chemical and biological weathering is generally absent in the arid region.
Distribution of Arid Soil in India:
A hot arid climate and Arid soils are exclusively found in western Rajasthan.
Characteristics of Arid Soils
The following are main characteristics of Arid Soil:
- The soil color of arid soil varies from red to brown and it is sandy in structure.
- Salt content is high in the upper horizon of soil due to the upward movement of salt by capillary action.
- Calcium content and Kankar are high at the lower horizon of soil due to the downward movement of Kankar and calcium content. Kankar restricts the downward movement of water which makes the moisture available for plant growth in a sustainable way.
- Phosphorous content is normal.
- Poor in Nitrogen, hummus, and organic matter.
- Proper treatments, irrigation, and fertilizer are needed to make it suitable for vegetation.
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