TYPES OF SOIL IN PAKISTAN

PRESENTED
BY:SUMMYA GULL
SOIL
• Definition:
It is defined as an upper layer of the earth covered with material comprising of water, gas,
microorganisms, minerals, and organic matter. Living organisms living in soil are termed
soil biota.
• Types of soil: There are four main types of soil that are the Clay, Silt, Sand and Loam.
In soil science, the types of soil are known as taxonomic units, The properties of soil vary
from region to region
 SANDY SOIL
• The first type of soil is sand.
Properties:
• Largest particles and it’s particle size is about 2-0.02mm.
• Sandy soils are one of the poorest types of soil for growing
plants because it has very low nutrients and poor water
holding capacity.
• Gritty, rough or course
• Non sticky
• Good drainage ability
CLAY SOIL
Clay is the smallest particle among the other two types of soil.

Properties
• The particles in this soil are tightly packed together with each other with
• very little or no airspace.
• Small particles and pore size (air spaces) is less than 0.002mm
• Very fine in size
• Sticky when wet and Hard when dry
• It swell and shrink
• It absorbs water
• Poor drainage
• Good water holding capacity
SILT SOIL
Properties
• Silt is a solid, dust-like sediment that water, ice, and wind transport and
deposit.

• Silt is made up of rock and mineral particles that are larger than clay but
smaller than sand.
• Individual silt particles are so small that they are difficult to see.
• Medium size particles and it’s pore size (air spaces) ranges 0.02-0.002mm

• Smooth and Slipping floury

• Non sticky
• Medium drainage

• Medium water holding capacity

LOAMY SOIL
Properties
• Loam is the fourth type of soil. It is a combination of sand, silt and clay
such that the beneficial properties of each are included.
• it has the ability to retain moisture and nutrients; hence, it is more
suitable for farming.
• Loam also has lots of humus
• Crops and garden plants grow best in
loam soil that is because loam hold more water than sand alone
• Loam drain better than silt or clay
• Loam also has more of the minerals that plants need to grow
• Loam is the best kind of soil for growing plants or crops
SIZE COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT SOIL
PARTICLES
COLOUR AND TEXTURE COMPARISON OF SOIL
PARTICLES
 TYPES OF SOIL IN PAKISTAN
Pakistan has a diverse variety of soil that supports vegetation growth. Pakistan has
various ecosystems/ecoregions that include mountains, deserts, plateaus, etc. Soil
classification in the country varies according to ecoregions. The various types of soil
in Pakistan are listed below with their location and properties.
• Soils in Pakistan are largely considered to be alkaline. In general, this means that the soil has a pH
greater than 7.5
ALLUVIAL SOIL:
• Location It is usually present near flood, plains and rivers. In Pakistan, it is found near Indus plain.
Properties

• It is composed of sand, loam and silt.

• Light to dark in colour
• Rich in Potash and Humus

• Poor in Nitrogen and Phosphorus

• Highly fertile and good for all crops (kharif and rabi)
• It is enriched with minerals and nutrients that make it suitable for agriculture.

• Ideal for Rice, Wheat, Sugarcane, Cotton Jute

• The soil is porous because of its loamy (equal proportion of sand and clay) nature
• It is light and good for tilling because of its porous capacity.
• It is enriched with minerals and nutrients that make it suitable for agriculture.
 COMPOSITION OF VARIOUS SOILS OF PAKISTAN:

SOIL ALLUVIAL SANDY SOIL CLAYEY SOIL SILT LOAMY SILTY-CLAY CALCAREOUS
SOIL SOIL LOAMY SOIL LOAMY:

CLAY 27-40% 0-10% 40-100% 0-27% 27-40% 7-27%

SILT 15-53% 0-15% 0-40% 50-88% 40-73% 28-50% LOAM:
23-52%
SAND 20-45% 85-100% 0-45% 0-50% 0-20% 7-27%
• Composition: Clay 27-40%, Silt: 15-53% and Sand 20-45%
• Location: It is usually present near flood plains and rivers. In Pakistan, it is found near Indus Plain.
• Sandy:
• Location It is usually present in arid and semi-arid regions. In Pakistan, it is found in
western Balochistan, Thal, Thar, and the Cholistan Desert
Properties
• It is primarily composed of sand and a very low portion of clay.
• It is light and has fewer nutrients.
• It is generally characterized as acidic soil.
Composition: Clay: 0-10%,Silt: 0-15%, and Sand: 85-100%
• Clayey:
• Location It is usually formed by floodwater and in Pakistan, it is present in Hyderabad,
Sahiwal, Multan, Badin, and Indus Delta.
Properties
• It is heavy and sticky soil.
• It has a high water holding capacity.
• It has a good concentration of nutrients.
• Composition: Clay: 40-100%, Silt: 0-40%, and Sand: 0-45%.
• Silt loam:

• Location: It is present in Pothohar Plateau that includes Attock, Mainwali, Banu, Islamabad, and
Chakwal.
• Properties
• It is a favorable soil for vegetation due to its texture.

• It has less concentration of nutrients and minerals.

• It is dry and supports all kinds of plants.
Composition: Clay: 0-27%, Silt: 50-88%, and Sand 0-50%.
• Silty-Clay-Loam:
• Location: It is present in Punjab that includes Gujrat, Sialkot, Jehlum, Bhakkar, and
Narowal.
Properties
• It is characterized by clay and silt concentration.
• The organic matter is lower in concentration.
• It has less concentration of salts.
Composition: Clay: 27-40%, Silt: 40-73%, and Sand: 0-20%.
• Calcareous loamy:
• Location: It is present in western mountain regions that include Sibbi, Kohat, Zhob, Musa
Khail, Quetta, and Ziarat.
Properties
• It mainly contains calcium carbonate in free form and magnesium carbonate may remain
present in small quantity
• It has a high concentration of mineral elements such as calcium and magnesium.
• Sometimes these soils are referred to as alkaline (high ph) soils but they are
distinguishable from other soils with high ph
• There is effervescence when calcareous soils come in contact with the acid (HCl)
• It supports minimum vegetation
Composition: Sand: Clay: 7-27%, Silt: 28-50%, and Loam 23-52%.
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