Soils in Tamil Nadu and Suitable Crops

Red Soil

Found in northern and western parts of Tamil Nadu. Rich in iron and aluminum oxides, well-drained, low in fertility.

Suitable crops: Groundnut, cotton, millets (ragi and bajra), pulses (pigeon pea and chickpea), tobacco.

Black Soil (Regur Soil)

Found in parts of western Tamil Nadu. Rich in clay and organic matter, good moisture retention.

Suitable crops: Cotton, sorghum (jowar), pulses (pigeon pea and green gram), oilseeds (soybean and groundnut), maize.

Alluvial Soil

Found in coastal regions and river basins. Deposited by rivers, rich in minerals, fertile.

Suitable crops: Rice, sugarcane, bananas, vegetables (tomatoes and brinjal), pulses (green gram and black gram), fruits (mangoes and guavas).

Laterite Soil

Found in hilly regions of Tamil Nadu. Rich in iron, acidic, poor fertility.

Suitable crops: Cashew, rubber, oil palm, tapioca, ginger, turmeric.

Coastal Alluvial Soil

Found in coastal areas. Saline, alkaline, sandy.

Suitable crops: Salt-tolerant crops like coconut, cashew, groundnut, millets (pearl millet), pulses (black gram), and some vegetables (bitter gourd and ridge gourd).

Lateritic Soil

Found in hills and plateaus. Rich in iron and aluminum oxides, acidic.

Suitable crops: Cashew, tapioca, ginger, turmeric, tea, coffee.