Pawan and Akash have been friends since childhood. Both of them are farmers in a village near Prayagraj. They often compare their inputs so as to increase their yields. Pawan, whose farm is along the Ganges, gets better yields with lower inputs of fertilizer and irrigation than Akash whose fields are twenty kilometres away. Identify their soils. [Hint: Sub-categories of a major soil type.] Which one of them is superior to the other? Why?

Pawan's farm is likely to have Khadar soil as his farm is located along the Ganges, while Akash's farm is likely to have Bhangar soil as his farm lies 20 km away from Ganges.

Khadar and Bhangar soils are sub-categories of Alluvial soil. Khadar is younger alluvium as flood waters deposit new layers every year.It is formed of fine silt and clay. The bhangar or the older alluvium is composed of lime nodules or kanker and has a clayey composition. Khadar soil is superior to Bhangar as it is more fertile.

Also, Pawan's farm is located close to Ganges so it needs lower input of irrigation than Akash's farm, as being in close proximity to the river naturally replenishes moisture in the area.