What are the Important Features of Arid Soil?

Arid soils—found in dry deserts and semi-deserts—possess several distinctive features shaped by their low rainfall, high temperatures, and limited vegetation. The most important characteristics include:

• Sandy Texture and Red to Brown Color: Arid soils are typically sandy in texture and range in color from red to brown, reflecting both mineral content and low organic material.
• Salinity and Alkalinity: These soils are often saline due to the accumulation of soluble salts (like sodium, calcium, and gypsum) that remain in the soil because of limited leaching by water; they are also generally alkaline in reaction.
• Low Moisture and Organic Matter: Because of high evaporation, limited rainfall, and sparse vegetation, arid soils are very dry, lack moisture, and contain little humus or organic matter.
• Presence of Kankar: The subsoil (lower horizon) frequently contains deposits of calcium carbonate called kankar, which inhibit water infiltration and percolation.
• Poor Fertility: Naturally, these soils are infertile for most crops due to low moisture, high salinity, and low organic content. However, with irrigation and fertilization, they can support drought-resistant crops like barley, cotton, wheat, millets, and pulses.
• High Calcium Carbonates and Gypsum: Arid soils often have notable accumulations of calcium carbonate and gypsum, especially in the lower layers, due to minimal leaching and movement of water through the soil profile.
• Vulnerability to Wind Erosion: With little vegetation to hold the soil, wind erosion and surface crusting are common issues.