| 1 | Red soil | Red soils are formed as a result of the draining down of old crystalline rock, less clayey and sandier in nature. This is having a rich content of iron plus small humus content. The content of essential nutrient like nitrogen, phosphorus and lime is very less in red soils. Slightly acidic, it is incapable of retain moisture. It is due to the presence of iron dioxide deposits, that red soils get the unique red tint and are comparatively infertile because of lime deficiency and soluble salt content. Red soils in India are alternatively known as Yellow Soil. |
| 2 | Alluvial soil | Alluvial relating to or derived from alluvium. Alluvial soils are formed mainly due to silt deposited by IndoGangetic-Brahmaputra Rivers. Alluvial soils is porous because of its loamy (equal portion sand and clay) nature. Porosity and texture provide good drainage and other condition favourable for agriculture. The proportion of nitrogen is generally low. The proportion of potash, phosphoric acid and alkaline are adequate. The proportion of iron dioxide and lime vary within a wide range. |
| 3 | Sandy soil | Sandy soil has the largest particles among the different soil types. It is dry and gritty to the touch and because the particles have huge spaces between them, it cannot hold on to water. Water and nutrients quickly drain away from the plant root zone. Sandy soil is opposite of clay soil. |
| 4 | Sandy loam | Sandy loam soil is a type of soil used in plant beds and pots that require ample drainage for the plants to thrive. Sandy loam soil is a mixture that is generally well balanced, but has sand as a dominant component. Perfect loamy soil is ideal for most growing, and contains an even mixture of sand, silt and clay in roughly even proportions. Type of sandy loam are categorized by the size of sand and include coarse sandy loam, sandy loam, fine sandy loam and very fine sandy loam. Sandy loam soils are made of approximately 60% sand, 10% clay and 30% silt particles. Plants that are grown in a sandy loam soil need frequent irrigation and fertilization to maintain healthy growth. The best way to improve a sandy loam soil for gardening is to mix organic matter into the soil. |
| 5 | Clay and clay loam | Clay soil has the smallest particles so it has good water storage qualities. It is sticky to the touch when wet, but smooth when dry. Due to the tiny size of its particles and its tendency to settle together, little air passes through its spaces. Because it is also slower to drain it has a tighter hold on plant nutrients. Clay soil is thus rich in plant food for better growth. Clay loam is a soil mixture that contains more clay than type of rock and minerals. The particles of clay are very small, which is one of its important characteristic. Usually clay loam contains a good deal of plant nutrients and supports most types of plants and crops. Clay loams can be improved to create better drainage without too much difficulty |
