What factors control soil formation?

Soils form from the interplay of five main factors namely Parent material, Time, Climate, Relief and Organisms. Find out more. read more

There are generally five factors that contribute to soil formation: Parent material: This refers to the organic material from which the soil is formed. Soils will carry the characteristics of the parent material, whether it’s color, structure, texture, and so on. read more

Factors affecting soil formation Soils form from the interplay of five main factors namely Parent material, Time, Climate, Relief and Organisms. Parent material: This refers to the mineral material, or organic material from which the soil is formed. read more

Factors that slow soil formation include: high lime content in parent material, high quartz content in parent material, high clay content in parent material, hard rock parent material (resistant to weathering), low rainfall, low humidity, cold temperature, steep slopes, high water table, severe erosion, constant deposition, accumulations, and mixing by animals or man. read more