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The alluvial soil covers about 143.1 million sq km accounting for about 43.4 per cent of the total reporting area. The alluvial soils occur mainly in the Satluj- Ganga-Brahmaputra Plains. They are also found in the valleys of Narmada, Tapi and in the Eastern and Western coastal plains (Fig. 6.2). These soils are mainly derived from the debris brought down from the Himalayas or from the silt left out by the retreating sea. The colour of the alluvial soils varies from light grey to ash grey and the texture is sandy to silty-loam. These soils are both well drained and poorly drained. In general, they have an immature profile in undulating areas, while in the leveled areas they have a well developed and mature profile.
These soils may be divided into the (i) Khadar soil: The khadar soils are low-lying, frequently inundated by floods during the rainy season. Thus, the khadar occupies the flood plains of the rivers and is enriched by fresh silt deposits every year. The khadar tracts are generally rich in concretions, and nodules of impure calcium carbonate or Kankar. In the drier areas, it also exhibits stretches of saline and alkaline efflorescences locally known as 'reft, kallar or thur, (ii) The Bhangar soil is above the flood level. It is generally well-drained but contains concretion (kankars) of impure calcium carbonate. The soil texture varies from loamy soil to clayey-loam. It is well drained and suited to wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane, pulses, oilseeds, barseem (fodder), fruits and vegetables. Alluvial soils are rich in humus, phosphoric acid, lime and organic matter. They are, however, deficient in potash.