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Soils in Odisha, Types of Soil in Odisha

In this article, you will get to know about Soils in Odisha, and Types of Soil in Odisha. For the comprehensive information about the topic, you can read the full article.
authorImageGoldi Tomar13 Nov, 2024
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Types of Soil in Odisha

Types of Soil in Odisha: Odisha, located in the eastern region of India, covers an area of 15.57 million hectares with a tropical climate marked by high temperatures and moderate rainfall. The Northern Plateau, Central Tableland, Eastern Ghats, and Coastal Plains are the four physiographic zones that make up the state. On the basis of landform, topography, climate, soil, and crop adaptability, ten agroclimatic zones have been identified. Each of the eight major groups that make up Orissa's soils—which are divided into four orders, ten suborders, and eighteen large groupings—presents different difficulties and limitations for agriculture, making productivity growth a priority.

Types of Soil in Odisha

The diversified Indian state of Odisha has a large variety of soil types that are influenced by its distinct climate and geography. Odisha's soils can be broadly divided into three types: forest-associated soils, coastal salty soils, and soils that combine red and black variations. Each variety adds to the agricultural diversity and productivity of the state by offering unique traits and opportunities.

  • Red Soil

Red soil, which covers approximately 7.14 million hectares in Odisha, is the most predominant soil type in the state, extending across various districts such as Koraput, Rayagada, Nawrangpur, Malkangiri, Keonjhar, Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal, Bolangir, Kalahandi, and Nuapada. These soils' high iron oxide content gives them their characteristic red hue. While the soils in the other districts have a lighter texture, the soils in the first four districts mentioned have a heavier texture. Usually, these soils have blocky, angular or sub-angular features. The main characteristic of red soils is a clay fraction that is dominated by illites and kaolinites. They typically have low to medium levels of organic matter, are strongly to moderately acidic, and have a poor ability to retain water.

  • Mixed Red & Yellow Soil

The districts of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Deogarh, and Sundargarh are home to the majority of these soils, which make up the second most widespread soil type in Odisha and span over 5.5 million hectares. These soils exhibit depth, texture, and color changes, forming mixed red and yellow catenary associations in rolling and undulating terrains. Upland soils are lighter in texture and shallower than lowland soils, and they are both somewhat coarse-textured and shallow.

  • Laterite Soil

In Odisha, laterite soil is found mostly in districts like Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Sambalpur. It covers an area of 0.70 million hectares. With trace levels of manganese, titanium, and quartz, these soils are distinguished by their compact vesicular structure and abundance of hydrated oxides of iron and aluminum. They exhibit a honeycombed structure in certain deteriorated cases, particularly in the districts of Khurda and Cuttack. Lateritic soils have a variety of surface types, from sandy loam to loamy sand, and are frequently covered by a hard clay pan, which can cause problems like crusting in upland laterite.

  • Coastal Saline & Alluvial Soil

Alluvial soil in Odisha with high total soluble salts (EC-4dS/m) are primarily found in a narrow coastal belt in the state, extending 5-25 km inland. Creeks deposit brackish tidal water from the sea, which causes these soils to become salinized. In several districts of Orissa, such as Balasore, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam, there are roughly 0.254 million hectares of saline soils. These saline soils are rich in soluble salts, particularly chloride and sulfate, along with sodium and magnesium. Due to floods from the brackish lake water in areas like Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam, the soil near Lake Chilika is also impacted by salts.

  • Deltaic Soil

The deltaic areas of rivers like Mahanadi, Brahamani, Baitarani, Subarnarekha, and Rushikullya, which span districts like Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Puri, Gajapati, and Ganjam, are home to the 0.67 million hectares of deltaic soils. The type of alluvial material carried by river water and the floodplain's geomorphology determine the textural nature of these soils, which ranges from coarse sand to clay. These soils can have a granular or platy texture, with the latter being more difficult to work with. Plowing is challenging on clayey alluvial soils because they can crack when dry and become sticky when wet. Although deltaic soils can hold a lot of water, it takes a long time for them to become plowable after they get wet. These soils have slow permeability, which makes drainage difficult.

  • Black Soil

Although this soil is uncommon, black soils may be found in isolated areas of Puri, Ganjam, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Bolangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Sambalpur, Bargarh, and Angul, which together cover 0.96 million hectares. The presence of bituminous, humins, titaniferous magnetite, and other elements gives these soils their black hue. They are created when basic rocks are in low-lying places. With a clay percentage of above 30% and a heavier texture, these soils are dominated by smectite clay minerals, which can cause extensive fissures in the dry summer months. These soils can hold a large quantity of moisture and have a great capacity to swell when wet. They also have an effective depth of more than 90 centimeters. They are vulnerable to surface soil erosion, though, because of their sluggish permeability.

  • Brown Forest Soil

These soils, which span over 0.17 million hectares and are found in districts like Phulbani, Kandhamal, Rayagada, and portions of Ganjam and Nayagarh, are found in places connected to forests. They react acidically, have a light texture, and range in hue from brown to gray brown. The amounts of nitrogen and organic matter in these soils range from modest to high. These soils have a medium degree of phosphorus and potash concentration. With the exception of molybdenum, the majority of micronutrient levels are high. Land deterioration results from soil erosion, which is an issue because of the sloping landscape. In these regions, shifting cropping is a typical practice that exacerbates land degradation.

  • Mixed Red & Black Soil

These soils are a mix of red and black soil, with spots of black soil among the red soil that predominates. With black soils on lower ridges and red soils on higher ridges, the red and black soils are mixed together. About 0.16 million hectares in the western districts of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, and Bolangir are covered by these soils. The soils have a neutral pH and a light to medium texture. Red soils predominate, but black soils are rich in calcium. The fertility rating of these deep soils is modest. Zinc deficiency occurs in lowland rice-growing soils.

Types of Soil in Odisha FAQs

Which soil types are most prevalent in Odisha?

Coastal sandy soil, deltaic soil, black soil, black cotton soil, red soil, laterite soil, alluvial soil, and saline alkaline soil are the primary soil types in Odisha.

Where in Odisha is red soil found?

The western and southern regions of Odisha, specifically the districts of Phulbani, Kalahandi, Bolangir, Sundargarh, and Koraput, are typically home to red soil.

Why is black cotton soil another name for Odisha's black soil?

Because of its capacity to hold onto moisture, black soil—which is mostly found in the districts of Kalahandi and Bargarh—is often referred to as black cotton soil. This property makes it perfect for growing cotton.
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