Red-brown forest soils developed under tropical evergreen forests and wet tropical monsoon forests mostly at altitudes between 300 m and 1,300 m above sea level. These soils have the average humus content of 2% and the pH value is between 5.5 and 6.5. Such soils are generally found in the area between East- West trending the Ayeyawady River and northeastsouthwest trending the Shweli River. Red-brown forest soils, together with mountain red brown forest soils, primitive crushed stone soils are found in Taninthayi, Southern Mon-Kayin, Rakhine Yoma and south-western Chin areas.

Yellow-brown forest soils are widespread under wet tropical monsoon forests at altitudes between 100 and 450 m above sea-level. The humus content is on average between 2 and 4%. The pH value is between 4.5 and 6.5 and the water holding capacity is 30-35%. Such soils occur in hilly areas between the Chindwin and Ayeyawady Rivers, in lower hills of the Bago Yomas, Rakhine Yomas and Taninthayi Yomas. At higher altitudes, these soils are replaced by Yellowbrown mountain forest soils. They are suitable for forest plantation.

Lateritic soils and laterites are found at altitude below 100 m above sea-level. The humus content is 1.5 to 3% and pH value is between 4 and 5. These soils occur in Taninthayi, Mon, Kayin, Southern Bago mountain ranges and southern Rakhine mountain ranges areas. Such soils are suitable for rubber plantation, fruit trees and horticulture (Ministry of Forest 2005).

Light Cinnamon soils occur along the belt surrounding the Dry Zone and dark Cinnamon soils develop at relatively wet sites. Humus content varies between 1% in light cinnamon to 3-5% in dark cinnamon. The pH value is between 5.5 and 6.5. These soils are suitable for agriculture when properly irrigated. Soils have been cultivated for centuries and are predominantly coarse-textured in the southern CDZ, with increasing surface clay contents in the northern CDZ (Guppy et al., 2017).

Red-brown savanna soils are typical soils of the Dry Zone and cover the central part of Myanmar. The humus contents are below 2% and nitrogen and available phosphorus contents are also low. The pH varies from 6.5 to 8 and it may reach 9 in extreme cases. These soils are suitable for dry farming but soil erosion is the main problem.

Dark compact savanna soils are mostly found in flat, even terrain and alluvial in the dry zone of central Myanmar. The pH value is ranging from 6 to 8.5 and humus content is only about 1%. Saline and alkaline should be checked and remedied. Suitable irrigation system is essential for successful utilization of the land.

Gravelly soils of savanna are also found in the Dry Zone of central Myanmar. These soils consist of stone fragments with small residues of humus and such soils are not suited for agriculture. Only indigenous species such as (Than, Dahat, Thanakha, etc…) should be planted.

Red earths occur at altitudes around 1,000 m above sea-level and mountain red earths are found at relatively higher altitudes. These soils cover the area from eastern Mandalay division, eastern Kayin, Kayah to large parts of Shan Plateau. The humus content is between 2 and 4% in the light red earths and may be up to 8% in dark red earths. The pH value is between 6 and 7. Such soils are suitable for diversified agriculture.

Yellow earths soils occur on level surfaces or slopes at lower altitudes on the Shan limestone plateau. They are less suited for agriculture when compared to red earths. Mountain Sod soils are found in Mountain Popa area and best suited for forestry purposes. Meadow soils are the best soils for paddy cultivation in Myanmar (Ministry of Forest 2005).

Alluvial Soils (Fluvisol)

Depending on the soil texture classification such as sand, slit and clay, the soils which contain large amount of silt are classified as alluvial soils. These soils can be found in any region of the country especially in the river basin plains, deltas, former lakes and coastal areas. The soil reaction is usually neutral and being young soils because of the development from recent alluvial deposits of the river plains, therefore rich in plant nutrients. These soils are pervious, easily tilled and very important soils for agriculture and suitable for rice, plantation crops, vegetables, pulses and beans, chili, sugarcane and maize (Land Use Division).

Meadow Soils (Gleysol)

There are different subtypes of Meadow soils. The meadow soils or paddy soils are widely occurring in the different parts of Myanmar in river plains, delta and low coastal plains and valleys. All types of Meadow soils have thick solum and mostly clayey texture and most suitable for paddy cultivation (Land Use Division).

Meadow Swampy Soils (Humic Gleysol)

These soils occur in the regions of lower depressions where the lands are flooded for more than 6 months in a year. The texture of these soils is clayey to clay and usually having very strong acid reaction, and contain large amount of iron. Moreover the soils with long periods of moisture content may contain large amount of aluminium and soluble iron, sulphur and manganese by chemical process and can be toxic to plants. The humus content is high and usually deficient in phosphorus and potassium. Rice and Jute can be grown on these soils after the floods recede (Land Use Division).

Meadow Carbonate Soils (Calcaric Gleysol)

These soils can be occurred in the upper part of the Dry Zone with light colour classified depend on characteristics. Mostly have neutral reaction, whereas, some have the alkaline reaction. The Meadow Carbonate soils can also be found in that region. In spite of these soils are deficient in plant nutrients, this can be used for the cultivation of pulses and vegetables (Land Use Division).

Lateritic Soils (Plinthic Ferralsol)

These soils mostly occurred in the lower slope areas of the hills of Bago Yoma, Rakhine Yoma and Dawna hill range in lower Myanmar and in the areas of well drained low uplands and the foot of low hills with the elevation is not higher than 91 m above sea level. These soils are formed under the influence of the tropical forests with wet tropical monsoon climate of rainfall in 2,032-50,800 mm. Morphologically, these soils found the yellow or yellow brown and reddish brown colour due to the presence of iron with oxidation and reduction processes. In some places the horizons of pisolithic laterite are found at the depth of 45.72 to 50.80 cm, whereas, in other places they are not found at the depth below 121.92 and 152.4 cm. The humus content of these soils in forest area is high, but can be less in the deforested areas. The soil reaction is acidic in the upper horizon and can be more acidic at the lower horizons. The available plant nutrients are very low in these soils and suitable for cash crops and garden such as durian and mango (Swe et al., 2015).

Red Brown Forest Soils (Rhodic Ferralsol)

These soils are the typical soils of tropical ever green forest of Myanmar and also formed under the influence of tropical evergreen forests with the annual rainfall about 2,032 to 5080 mm. These soils occur on the well-drained hill slopes at the elevation from 304 to 1,219 m above sea level and also occur on the hill slopes of Rakhine mountain range, Taninthayi and Dawna range. Some are also found at the low uplands. The soils are well structured with good drainage, medium to heavy loamy texture and slightly acid with the pH value ranging from 5.5 to 6.5. The soils contain moderate amount of plant available nutrients. These soils can be regarded as forest land of good productivity however the soils on the lower elevation are suitable for gardens and plantation (Swe et al., 2015).

Yellow Brown Forest Soils (Xanthic Ferralsol)

The Yellow Brown Forest soils widely occur in covering the low hills of Bago Yoma, foot hills of Taninthayi Yoma, Rakhine Yoma and sloping areas at the bottom of northern hilly region up to the approximate north latitude of 25 degrees. These soils are closely connected with the Red Brown Forest soils in their distribution and usually replacing them down the slope. They mainly occur in the region of gentle slopes of low hills and foot hills at the elevation of 91 to 457 m above sea level. These soils are typical for the monsoon or tropical mixed deciduous forests and contain the clay and humus percentage more than the Red Brown Forest soils and the great majority for good garden lands (Swe et al., 2015).

Dune Forest and Beach Sand (Arenosol)

These soils can be found only along the coastal line of Myanmar. These areas are not very important soils for agriculture. The coastal line should be under wind and water erosion control and utilized for holiday resorts (Land Use Division).

Kanasotal soils (Solonchaks)

It is a pale or grey soil type found in arid to subhumid, poorly drained conditions. Solonchaks are largely confined to the arid and semi-arid climatic zones and to coastal regions in all climates. Common international names are ‘saline’ and ‘salt-affected soils. These soils can be found only at the coastal line of Tanitharyi and some areas of the Ayeyarwady Delta region.

Gleyic soils (Solonchaks)

Mostly AC- or ABC- profiles are often with gleyic properties at some depth. In low-lying areas with a shallow water table, salt accumulation is strongest at the surface of the soil. The horizon differentiation of Solonchaks is normally determined by other factors than their high salt content. Many saline soils in waterlogged backswamps are Gleyic Solonchaks. These soils mostly occur in the coastal areas of Ayeyarwady Delta.

Mangrove Forest Soils (Fluvisols)

These soils occur in very small area along the coastal line of Myanmar, especially in the region of Ayeyarwady Delta, Myeik archipelago and islands of Rakhine coast line. These are marine flat lowlands which are affected by daily tides. The lands are only suitable for prawn breeding, beach resorts and establishing mangrove firewood forests (Swe et al., 2015).

Catena of Luvisol on slopes, Vertisol in flat land

Upland, well-drained soils are usually reddish-brown (Pitio Ndyeshumba, 1995). On the middle and lower parts of the slope, drainage is slower partly because of the moisture seeping downslope from the upper soils. These soils remain moist longer and dry out less frequently and less completely; this leads to an increasing degree of hydration of the iron. The red color changes to a brown or yellow one; the hydrated iron are mainly limonite and goethite. The color changes are not sudden; there is a gradual change from the original reddish-brown of the upper soils to orangebrown and then to yellow-brown and sometimes brownish yellow on the lower slopes (Gerrard,1981). Vertisols are clayey soils, which have deep, wide cracks on some occasions during the year and slickensides within 100 cm of the soil surface. They shrink when dry and swell when moistened (Eswaran and Reich, 2005). Vertisols commonly occur in low and flat relief forms, like lowlands, valleys, forefront of mountain ranges, former lake bottoms, the lower terraces and have the high content of expending clay and form deep wide cracks from the surface downward when they dry condition, mainly in tropical, semi-arid to (sub) humid climates.

Saline Swampy Meadow Gley (Gley-Gleysol)

Saline Swampy Meadow Gley soils occur in Ayeyarwady Delta and along the river bands of the Gulf of Motama and the marine flat lowlands which were influenced by the tidal sea water. These soil are always s salty. The land can only be utilized for prawn breeding and mangrove firewood forests because these soils are high salinity and whole year tidal sea water (Swe et al., 2015).

Yellow Brown Dry Forest and Indaing Soils (Ornithic Cambisol)

These soils occur on low upland plains in the Dry zone area. The lands are dry and sandy, so can be utilized for forests and dry cropping on uplands (Swe et al., 2015).

Light Forest Soils (Nitisol)

These soils mostly occur on the very gently sloping alluvial-diluvial under mountainous plains in the Dry zone area and also found on the lowest parts of the slopes in the Shan Plateau. The physical properties of these soils are very favorable and in spite of being sandy they are pervious and not heavy to work. They generally have good fertility which is connected with their position in the under mountainous plains, and there is a permanent supply of nutrients from the surrounding mountains by the surface run-off. These soils are suitable for the cultivation of “Ya” crops (dry cropping on uplands) (Swe et al., 2015).

Red Brown Savanna Soils (Luvisol)

These soils are mostly found in the undulating relief of the hill slopes and low uplands which are sandy and usually well drained. The soil reaction is about neutral in the top soil and neutral or slightly alkaline in the subsoil (pH ranges from 7.0 to 8.0). The soil contains a certain amount of lime and is rich in calcium and magnesium, however low in other nutrients except potassium. These soils are the most important land resources of the Dry zone area. Most of the areas are ploughed and cultivated (Swe et al., 2015).

Dark Compact Soils (Vertisol)

The dark compact soils occur in the Dry Zone mostly in the level plains of Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway divisions and on the lowlands near the rivers and broad depression in the areas of Red Brown Savanna Soils. These soils are very important for agriculture in the Dry Zone and deep, mostly composed of clayey materials and located on the level plains and the best soils for irrigated farming. These soils contain the highest amount of clay and also are very difficult to work when it is too dry or having excessive moisture. The humus content of these soils are very low, therefore in the dry state, they are deeply cracked, but after rains they turn into mud and very sticky. The infiltration of these soils is very poor and should be carefully taken for saline and alkali problems. The soil is alkaline and having pH ranging from 7 to 9, and strongly calcareous. These soils are deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus exception of potassium. The soils contain a considerable amount of calcium and magnesium and can be used for “Ya” crops in addition to rice under irrigation (Swe et al., 2015).

Red Earth and Yellow Earth (Acrisol)

The Red Earths soils are the most dominating soils in Shan Plateau and northern mountainous region at the elevation of more than 914 m. The Shan Plateau is completely covered with these soils. They are well drained and easy to plough. The soil reaction is slightly acid to neutral with pH ranging from 6 to 7. However, the Yellow Earths soils are more acidic, clay percentage and humus content than the Red Earth. Iron and alluminium contents are also very high. Nitrogen and phosphorus are very deficient. The Red Earths is the typical soils for agriculture in Shan state and potassium content is high. These soils have good structure, well drained, and easy to plough, therefore very suitable for cultivation of seasonal and perennial crops. However, due to relief and slopes, erosion control measures are required. The Yellow Earths soils can only be utilized for gardens, flowers and forests (Swe et al., 2015).

Mountainous Yellow and Red Brown Soils (Histic Cambisol and Chromic Cambisol)

These soils occur on the mountainous terrain in the Shan Plateau with the elevation from 1,219 to 1,828 m. The soils should be under forest. Forest conservation and soil erosion control measures are very important for these soils (Swe et al., 2015).

Chin Hills Complex Soils (Ferralic Cambisol)

These soils are found on the high mountainous belt of the Chin Hills with the elevation of 1,219 to 1,828 m and less structured having bedrock in the lower horizons therefore the dangerous of landslide happens during the rainy season. These soils are only suitable for forest conservation and plantation crops (Swe et al., 2015).

Northern Hills Complex Soils (Ornithic Cambisol)

These soils occur on the very high northern mountainous region of Myitkyina areas and can only be utilized for forest conservation and also necessary to be undertaken for soil conservation (Swe et al., 2015).

Alpic Complex Soils (Gelic Cambisol)

These soils occur most of the northern area of Myanmar especially in Putao District with the elevation of 1,828 to 3,048 m above sea level where the tops of the mountains are covering with snow for the whole year, therefore these areas should be preserved for the picturesque resources of the country (Swe et al., 2015).

Popa Complex Soils (Andosol)

These soils are formed at the volcanic region of Popa in Myingyan District of Central Myanmar and cannot be found elsewhere in the country. These soils areas can be utilized for forest conservation and preservation natural picturesque landscape (Land Use Division).

Crushed Stone (Leptosol)

These soils widely occur in the area of low hills, sharpest and eroded slopes of the eastern side Rakhine Yoma in Magway Region. These territories are covered with the open cover of low shrubs with spines and sparse dry grasses. The surface layer of the soils is just a mixture of crushed stones with some quantity of slightly humified fine earth and often covered with crushed sand stone and lime concretions. These soils are totally unsuitable for cultivation and should only be used for forests (Swe et al., 2015).