Soil Forming Factors
Soil Forming Factors
The soil formation is the process of two consecutive stages.
-
The weathering of rock (R) into Regolith
-
The formation of true soil from Regolith
The evolution of true soil from regolith takes place by the combined action of soil forming factors and processes.
-
The first step is accomplished by weathering (disintegration & decomposition)
-
The second step is associated with the action of Soil Forming Factors
Weathering Factors
Dokuchaiev (1889) established that the soils develop as a result of the action of soil forming factors
S = f ( P, Cl, O )
Further, Jenny (1941) formulated the following equation
S = f (Cl, O, R, P, T, …)
Where,
Cl – environmental climate
o – Organisms and vegetation (biosphere)
r – Relief or topography
p – Parent material
t- Time
… – additional unspecified factors
The five soil forming factors, acting simultaneously at any point on the surface of the earth, to produce soil
Two groups – Passive i) Parent material, ii) Relief, iii) Time
Active IV) Climate, v) Vegetation & organism