SOILS

Soil is referred to as the fragile skin of the earth. “Eroded soil” occurs when water and wind are removed from the soil particles. Soil erosion occurs easily in those areas where the land is not covered with trees or plants or vegetation. Soils that are covered with vegetation reduce the effect of heavy rainfall. Rainfall removed the soil particles from the surface which causes eroded soil. This type of soil is not appropriate for framing as it lost its moisture level and other important components. On the other hand, “alluvial soil” is one of the best soil for farming various crops. 

“Eroded Soil” as the challenge for agricultural production

Eroded soil is not productive “soil” thus is not suitable for the agricultural farming processes. Therefore, in the area where the “soils” is not covered by the trees and plants due to the heavy rainfall, the surface particles are removed from the soil thus it produces less moisture. The issues related to the eroded soils are various: it causes soil compaction which means the soil becomes hard and loses all its nutritional benefits for the plants. The fertile loss makes the soil less productive thus it becomes challenging for the farmers for agricultural production. At the time when the topsoil is eroded, it loses its organic matter and its many physical properties. This is the reason farming in less productive soil like eroded soil is costly as well as challenging. Many researchers have calculated rainfall erosivity annually and they derive the relationship formula which is: 

$$R=79=0.363R_ {N} $$

Here, the intensity of rainfall represents the factors of kinetic energy. R represents the long term annual average of products of the event kinetic energy of rainfall and the maximum intensity of rainfall in 3 minutes per hour. 

Types of Erosion

Water erosion: The reason behind water erosion is when heavy rain hits the surface of the soil it displaces the soil particles which are essential for planting. 

Wind erosion: This is also a natural process. The small particles of the soil move from one location and another. Thus this is also another reason for the occurring eroded soil. 

Rill erosion: The reason behind rill erosion is heavy rain. Thus as time passes the soil removes its particles due to the heavy rainfall and the result is “eroded soil”.

Gully erosion: This type of erosion is caused by the drainage line in the farm and the removal of soil particles along with this drainage system. 

The harmful effect of “eroded soil”

The greatest effects of this eroded soil include topsoil loss, soil compaction; reduce organic material, poor drainage system, issues related to plant production, the increased acidity level of the soil, water pollution, climate change and many others. These are the reason for becoming challenging framing in those areas. The farming process is costly because of the impressive solution of this situation. Careful tilling, increased structure for plants, water control process, crop rotation, various equipment to make the soil productive, labor cost many other makes is hugely costly. 

“Alluvial Soil” and its characteristics

This type of soil is mainly formed due to the soil deposited by the surface water. Moreover, all the alluvial soil forms because of flooding. Heavy water flow brings soils and when the flow is reduced soils are gradually stored on both sides of the river. This soil is very productive as it has all the important particles, though they are not mature enough because of their recent origin. Gradually this soil becomes the best soil for agriculture farming procedures. The characteristic feature of this alluvial clay is it is loamy thus it is porous in nature as it contains an equal portion of the clay and sand. For example, the Bhabar belt is around 8 to 16 km wider along Shivalik foothills in the form of alluvial fans. 

Chemical properties of “alluvial soil”

Alluvial soil is very much productive because of its chemical-rich properties. Iron oxide and lime are enriched in high proportions. Potash, alkalies and phosphoric acid are adequate in proportion. Hence, the nitrogen level is generally low in this type of soil because of its recent origin. 

Conclusion 

The various conditions of “Soils” vary in their productivity. The “eroded soil” and the “alluvial soil” are opposite to its characteristic features. This is because eroded soil is not productive enough thus faring procedure is quite difficult and cost bearing for farming. On the other hand, “Alluvial Soil” is enriched with soil particles, chemical properties thus it is very much productive and many crops such as wheat, sugarcane, rice, jute, cotton, vegetables, fruits are suitable for agriculture in this type of soil.