Soils of Punjab, Formation, Types and Land Degradation in Punjab

Explore the diverse soils of Punjab, including alluvial, loamy, and sandy soils, which support the region's rich agricultural productivity. Learn about their characteristics, distribution, and importance in Punjab's farming landscape.

Table of Contents

Soil is a blend of rock debris and organic materials formed on the Earth’s surface. Its characteristics are primarily influenced by factors like parent material, climate, relief, vegetation, time, and animal organisms.

Formation of Soils in Punjab

The soils of Punjab are part of the Indo-Gangetic drainage system, created through the deposition of alluvium brought down from the Himalayas by the Indus River and its tributaries. The region features a vast alluvial plain that gently slopes from the northeast to the southwest. In Punjab, soils are classified based on texture, climate, topography, and denudation processes. The Department of Soil and Water Conservation actively addresses and monitors soil and water-related challenges in the state.

Types of Soils in Punjab

Soil	Characteristics	Crops Grown
Loamy Soils	Most fertile and productive soil group, covering 25% of the state. Found in various districts, becoming clayey towards the northwest. Dark brown to black in color	Wheat, paddy
Flood Plain or bet Soils	Khadar soils along the old flood plain areas of rivers. Found along the west bank of the Sutlej and in specific tehsils. Pale to yellowish-brown	Wheat, paddy, sugarcane, vegetables
Sandy Soils	Arid soils in southwestern and south-central Punjab. Yellowish to grey in color, poor in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash.	Cotton, citrus, oilseeds, wheat, fodder
Kandi Soils	Formed by the deposition of chos from Shiwalik hills. Sandy loam, silt loam, clay silt to gravelly texture. Badly eroded, less productive, suitable for dry farming.	Dry land crops, winter wheat, pulses, oilseeds
Desert Soils	Aridic zone soils in southwestern Punjab. Yellow to light brown, low to medium fertility.	Cotton, moth beans, citrus, wheat, bajra, kharif fodder
Seirozem Soil	Aridic zone soils in southwestern Punjab. Yellow to light brown, low to medium fertility.	Wheat, paddy, oilseeds, sugarcane
Grey Brown Podzolic and forest Soils	Aridic zone soils in southwestern Punjab. Yellow to light brown, low to medium fertility.	Suitable for forestry
Sodic and Acidic soils	Aridic zone soils in southwestern Punjab. Yellow to light brown, low to medium fertility.	Wheat, rice, cotton, oilseeds, bajra, pulses, fodder

Soil and Land Degradation in Punjab

Punjab faces significant soil and land degradation primarily due to over-irrigation and excessive use of chemical fertilizers.

Over-irrigation

Excessive watering is a leading cause of soil degradation in Punjab. Over-irrigation increases soil salinity, decreases soil quality, and leads to waterlogging. Poor drainage systems and low-quality irrigation water exacerbate the issue by allowing water to accumulate underground, forming water table-related pillars. Flooded soils restrict gas exchange, saturate root zones, and inhibit plant growth. Additionally, irrigation water containing salts gradually increases salinity, reducing soil fertility.

Excessive Fertilizer Use

Punjab ranks highest in the country in fertilizer consumption. During 2023-24, the state used 247.61 kg of fertilizers per hectare, nearly double the national average of 139.81 kg per hectare, according to the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. Although Punjab accounts for just 1.53% of India’s agricultural area, it consumes around 9% of the total fertilizers used in the country. This disproportionate usage deteriorates soil health, leaving it nutrient-depleted and less productive.