SOIL

Soil forming processes

1) physical and chemical weathering of parent materia

2) incorporation of organic matter

3) downward leaching of fine particles

Properties of Soil

Soil Texture

Soil Structure

Soil Color

Soil fertility

Soil Profile

O (humus or organic)

A (topsoil)

B (subsoil)

C (parent material)

R (bedrock)

Soil formation factors

1) climate

2) vegetation

3) soil organisms

4) parent material

5) topography

6) time

Types of soils

Zonal soils

Zonal soils are characterised by the dominant influence of climate.

Tundra Soils

Podzols

Brown Forest Soils

Laterite Soils

Chernozem/Prairie/Steppe

Reddish Brown Soils

Desert Soils

Azonal soils

Azonal soils are poorly developed and occur along the recent alluvium, steep slopes or sand deposits.