Explanation: Desert or Arid Soil:

• Arid soils range from red to brown in color.
• They are generally sandy in structure and saline in nature.
• In some areas, the salt content is so high that common salt is obtained by evaporating the saline water. Due to the dry climate, high temperature and accelerated evaporation, they lack moisture and humus.
• Nitrogen is insufficient and the phosphate content is normal. Lower horizons of the soil are occupied by ‘kankar’ layers because of the increasing calcium content downwards.
• The ‘Kankar’ layer formation in the bottom horizons restricts the infiltration of water, and as such when irrigation is made available, the soil moisture is readily available for sustainable plant growth.
• Arid soils are characteristically developed in western Rajasthan, which exhibits characteristic arid topography. These soils are poor and contain little humus and organic matter.

Sources: NCERT