Land Resources of India Volume 1

Abstract

Indian Soils: Their Classification, Occurrence and Properties by S. P. Raychaudhuri, prepared under the auspices of the Planning Commission of India, presents a comprehensive scientific appraisal of India’s soil resources with the objective of guiding national agricultural planning and sustainable land management. Recognizing that a substantial proportion of India’s population depends on agriculture, the study systematically classifies Indian soils into twenty-eight distinct groups based on their genesis, distribution, morphology, and physicochemical properties. Major categories such as alluvial, black, red and ferruginous, lateritic, desert, forest, podsolic, and terai soils are examined in terms of their geographical occurrence, nutrient status, clay composition, pH range, moisture retention capacity, and agricultural suitability. The report highlights the high fertility yet nutrient deficiencies (notably nitrogen and phosphorus) of alluvial soils, the moisture-retentive and cotton-supporting characteristics of black soils, the comparatively lower fertility of red and ferruginous soils, and the leached, iron-rich composition of laterites. Detailed analytical data on soil texture, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, and mineral composition provide a foundation for correlating Indian soils with international classification systems and for recommending targeted soil management practices. Emphasizing the prevention of soil degradation, rational irrigation planning, and balanced fertilizer application, the study underscores the necessity of informed land capability assessment to avoid costly mismanagement. Overall, the document serves as a foundational reference for soil scientists, agricultural planners, and policymakers, offering a scientific basis for enhancing crop productivity, promoting sustainable land use, and strengthening India’s long-term food security framework.