Chemical composition and nutrient status of red soil
- Rich in: Iron oxides (ferric compounds), aluminum, and adequate levels of potassium (potash).
- Deficient in: Available nitrogen, available phosphorus, organic matter (humus), lime (calcium), and magnesium.
- Soil reaction: Slightly acidic to neutral pH (typically ranging from 5.5 to 7.0), resulting in low cation exchange capacity.
- Texture: Coarse, porous, and gravelly on uplands; deeper, finer loamy to clayey textures in lowlands and valleys.
Suitable crops for red soil regions
- Oilseeds: Groundnut, castor, sesame, and sunflower thrive in the loose, well-drained root zones of red loam.
- Pulses: Red gram (pigeon pea), black gram (urad), green gram (moong), and horse gram.
- Millets and cereals: Ragi (finger millet), pearl millet (bajra), sorghum (jowar), and maize under rainfed and irrigated conditions.
- Cash and plantation crops: Cotton, tobacco, sugarcane, and fruit trees like mango, cashew, and guava.
Soil health management and fertility enhancement
Because red soils have high permeability and low water retention, adding bulky organic manures (FYM, compost, green manure) is essential to improve moisture-holding capacity and build soil organic carbon. Apply rock phosphate or single superphosphate (SSP) to correct phosphorus deficiencies, and use Rhizobium biofertilizers when planting leguminous crops.
Official source
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Soil and Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What gives red soil its characteristic red colour?
The red colour is caused by the widespread diffusion of iron oxide (ferric oxide) throughout the crystalline and metamorphic rocks from which the soil weathered.
What nutrients are deficient in red soils?
Red soils are typically deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus, organic matter (humus), and lime.
Which crop is most widely grown on red sandy loam soils in South India?
Groundnut is one of the most prominent commercial crops grown on red sandy loam soils, especially across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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