what is soil? name different types of soil

Soil is a thin layer of material on the Earth 's surface in which plants have their roots. It is made up of many things, such as weathered rock and decayed plant and animal matter. Soil is formed over a long period of time.  

Based on this activity, we can divide the soil into different types

• Large sized particles called sandy soil
• Fine particles called clayey soil
• A mixture of large and small sized particles called loamy soil

Based on the colour and its constituents, soil can also be classified into four types:

• Red soil: It is found mainly in South India. An iron oxide present in the soil give it a red colour. It has a particles of clayey and sandy soil. Coffee, tea, cardamom etc. are grown in this type of soil.
• Black soil: This type of soil is found in northern part of Karnataka and is the most suitable soil for the agriculture. Black soil contains greater amount of decomposed constituents of organic substances which give it a black colour. It contains more moisture. This soil is suitable for the crops of cotton, ground nut, sugar cane and tobacco etc.
• Laterrite soil: This type of soil usually red or reddish yellow in colour and looks like honey comb. It is usually found in the area where there is heavy rainfall and contain less amount of calcium. This soil becomes dug and bricks when the moisture content present in it reduces to reasonable quantity.
• Alluvial soil: The soil found near the beaches and on the river bank, made up of soil is known as alluvial soil.