Soils Quetta
Physiographically, the soils of Quetta district may be described by four main units i.e. (1) Piedmont plains (very deep and well drained soil) (2) Piedmont basins (4) Salinity and Alkalinity (3) Gravelly piedmont fans and aprons bordering the mountains and loess plains. Each physiolographic unit is different in parent material.
Soil of Hana valley near Quetta.
The central part of the Quetta valley is covered by a soil that ranges from sandy loam to silt loam. This type of soil is good for crop production. At the margin of the valley near foothills, the soil consists of sandy loam, mixed with pebbles and rock fragments and is suitable for vegetation.
In the Hanna valley, the greater part of the valley floor is covered by barren rock out crops of low relief and dry mala bed, the soil is restricted to the narrow banks and low terraces along the main stream. This type of soil is highly suitable for orchards. The soil of Panjpai plain is alluvial and the skirts of the hills are stony which are suitable for crops but due to scarcity of water, the area potential of agricultural production is not fully exploited.
Hana surface near Quetta.
However, the nature of soil in Baleli is silty clay which is not suitable for cultivation. Similarly the Chiltan surface has soils that are predominantly gravelly loams. The vegetation on these soils is mainly Haloxylon which provide poor grazing for livestock. In the Sra Khulla and Ghundak Rud valleys, there is hardly any soil cover, therefore it bears a very thin and scattered growth of wild bushes and shrubs.
As for soil erosion, both stream erosion of soil and wind erosion are occurring in the district. The stream erosion takes place in the piedmont plain along the banks and beds of streams. Such streams are Sariab Lora, Hanna river and Habib Nalla near Hudda. The wind erosion occurs in the valley floor where the material of soil is mostly clay and silt.
Soil besides Hana valley near Quetta.