Agroclimatic Zones of Karnataka

On national level, Karnataka falls under meso Zone 10 (Southern Plateau and Hills) and Zone 12 (West Coast Plains and Hills). However, the state of Karnataka can be reclassified on the basis of relief features, rainfall, and soil at state level into ten zones. These zones are helpful in understanding the requirement of people who are attached with agriculture or field related work or industries.

The 10 agroclimatic zones of Karnataka are

Zone 1
North Eastern Transition Zone
Districts (Number of Talukas): Bidar (5), Gulbarga (2)
Talukas: Aland, Bhalki, Basvakalyan, Bidar, Chincholi, Humnabad, Aurad.
Average Rainfall: 830-920 mm
Average Elevation: 450-900 m
Soil: Shallow to medium black, red lateritic

Zone 2
North Eastern Dry Zone
Districts (Number of Talukas): Gulbarga (5), Yadgir (3), Raichur (3)
Talukas: Afzalpur, Chitapur, Gulbarga, Jewargi, Sedum, Shahapur, Yadgir, Shorapur, Raichur, Deodurga, Manvi.
Average Rainfall: 630-810 mm
Average Elevation: 300-450 m
Soil: very deep black clay, shallow to medium black

Zone 3
Northern Dry Zone
Districts (Number of Talukas): Koppal (4), Gadag (4), Dharwad (1), Belgaum (5), Bijapur (5), Bagalkot (6), Bellary (7),  Davangere (1), Raichur (2) Talukas: Gangavathi, Koppal, Kushtagi, Lingasugur, Sindhanur, Yelburga, Badami, Bagalkote, Bagewadi, Bilgi, Bijapur, Hungund, Indi, Jamkhandi, Mudhol, Muddebihal, Sindhagi, Bellary, Hagaribommanahalli, Harapanahalli, Hadagali, Hospet, Kudligi, Sandur, Siruguppa, Ron, Navalgund, Naragund, Gadag, Mundargi, Ramdurga, Gokak, Raibag, Soundatti, Athani.
Average Rainfall: 460-780 mm
Average Elevation: 450-900 m
Soil: Deep to medium black clay, sandy loams

Zone 4
Central Dry Zone
Districts (Number of Talukas): Chitradurga (6),  Davangere (3),  Tumkur (6), Chickmagalur (1), Hassan (1)
Talukas: Challakere, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Harihara, Hiriyur, Hosadurga, Holalkere, Jagalur, Molkalmuru, Arasikere, Kadur, Madhugiri, Pavagada, Koratagere, Chikkanayakana Halli (CN Halli), Sira, Tiptur.
Average Rainfall: 450-720 mm
Average Elevation: 450-900 m
Soil: red sandy loams, deep to medium black

Zone 5
Eastern Dry Zone
Districts (Number of Talukas): Bangalore Rural  (4), Ramanagar (4) Bangalore Urban (3), Kolar (5),  Chikkaballpur (6) Tumkur (2)
Talukas: Gubbi, Tumkur, Anekal, Bangalore South, Bangalore North, Channapatna, Devanahalli, Doddabalapur, Hosakote, Kankapura, Magadi, Nelmangala, Ramanagar, Bagepalli, Bangarpet, Chikkabalapur, Chintamani, Gudibanda, Gowribidanur, Kolar, Malur, Mulbagal, Sidalaghatta, Srinivasapura.
Average Rainfall: 680-890 mm
Average Elevation: 800-1500 m
Soil: red loams, clay lateritic

Zone 6
Southern Dry Zone
Districts (Number of Talukas): Mysore (4), Chamarajnagar(4), Mandya (7), Tumkur (2), Hassan (2)
Talukas: Krishnarajanagara (KR Nagar), T.Narasipur, Mysore, Kollegal, Nanjangud, Turuvekere, Kunigal, Nagamangala, Srirangapatna, Malavalli, Maddur, Mandya, Pandavapura, Krishnarajpet (KR Pet), Channarayapatna, Hassan, Chamarajanagar, Yelandur, Gundlupet
Average Rainfall: 670-890 mm
Average Elevation: 450-900 m
Soil: red sandy loams, deep black

Zone 7
Southern Transition Zone
Districts (Number of Talukas): Hassan (4), Chickmagalur (1), Shimoga (3), Mysore (3), Davanagere (2)
Talukas: Heggadadevana Kote (HD Kote), Hunsur, Periyapatna, Holenarasipura (HN Pura), Alur, Arkalgud, Belur, Tarikere, Bhadravathi, Shimoga, Honnali, Shikaripura, Channagiri.
Average Rainfall: 610-1050 mm
Average Elevation: 450-900 m
Soil: red sandy loams, red loams

Zone 8
Northern Transition Zone
Districts (Number of Talukas): Belgaum (4), Dharwad (3), Haveri (6),   Gadag (1)
Talukas: Hukkeri, Chikodi, Bailhongal, Belgaum, Haveri, Shiggaon, Shirahatti, Kundagol, Savanur, Hubli, Dharwad, Byadgi, Hirekerur, Raneebennur.
Average Rainfall: 620-1300 mm
Average Elevation: 450-900 m
Soil: shallow to medium black clay, red sandy loams

Zone 9
Hilly Zone
Districts (Number of Talukas): Uttara Kannada (6),  Belgaum (1), Dharwad (1), Haveri (1), Shimoga (4), Chickmangalur (5), Kodagu (3), Hassan (1)
Talukas: Sirsi, Siddapura, Yellapura, Supa, Haliyal, Mundgod, Khanapur, Soraba, Hosanagar, Sagar, Thirthahalli, Koppa, Sringeri, Mudigere, Narasimharajapur, Chickmagalur, Kalaghatagi, Hangal, Sakleshpur, Virajpet, Somwarpet, Madikere.
Average Rainfall: 900-3700 mm
Average Elevation: 450-1500 m
Soil: red clay loamy

Zone 10
Coastal Zone
Districts (Number of Talukas): Udupi (3), Dakshina Kannada (5), Uttara Kannada (5)
Talukas: Karwar, Kumta, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Ankola, Bantwal, Udupi, Belthangadi, Karkala, Kundapura, Mangalore, Puttur, Sulya
Average Rainfall: 3000-4700 mm
Average Elevation: Less than 300 m in major area with 450-800 in remaning area
Soil: red lateritic, coastal alluvial

Image Source:
Das, Arun & Kimoto, Koichi & Ravi Kumar, M & Umakanth, R & Sengupta, Dhritiraj & R. Vishwanth, H. (2018). Landuse Sustainability of Agricultural Zones. 10.1007/978-981-10-5927-8_6.