New digital maps reveal soil secrets shaping India's agricultural future
Mapping soil properties across India using existing data is challenging due to limited information. In this study, researchers created digital maps of key soil properties like sand, clay, pH, and soil organic carbon down to 2 meters deep. They used a database of soil profiles and factors like temperature, precipitation, and terrain to predict soil properties. The maps showed that sandy soils are common in Western Plains, clayey soils in the Deccan Plateau, and acidic soils in North-Eastern hills. The Western Ghats and Coastal Plains have high soil organic carbon levels. Rainfall during June plays a significant role in soil organic carbon levels in Indian soils.