Peaty Soils | Marshy Soils| Classification of Indian Soil | UP-PCS | UPSC| Physical Features |GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA ~ Civil Services Self Study

Table of Contents:

Formation of Peaty Soils

Peaty soil is formed naturally by incomplete decomposition of organisms such as plants and animals in wetland areas under low atmospheric temperature and anaerobic conditions.
Peaty Soil formed in the region having heavy rainfall with high humidity that supported good growth of vegetation. As a result, a high quantity of dead organisms matters accumulated leads to rich humus and organic content to soils; that is peaty soil.
Peaty soil is a storehouse of carbon; Globally, it is estimated that peaty soil has more carbon as compared to carbon accumulated in crude reserve.

Distribution of Peaty Soils in India

The following are the region where Peaty soils are found:

Characteristics of Peaty soils

The following are the characteristics:

It is alkaline in nature and has pH values of more than 7.5
Peaty soil is not suitable for vegetation or crops as it is alkaline soil and alkaline soil prevents the roots of plants to use nutrients effectively.
For making Peaty soil fertile or lowering the pH values of soil sulfur, ferrous sulfate, and aluminum sulfate can be used.
It is soft and easily compressed.
It is heavy and black in color.
It can be used as fuel when dry.
It is the storehouse of Carbon and it uses a tool for carbon sequestration.
It has rich humus and organic content

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