Factors of Soil Formation

These may be defined as “the interrelated natural agencies responsible for the formation of soil” (Gregorich, 2001). Dokuchaev introduced the “factorial” approach to soil genesis and considered the important factors to be living and dead organisms, parent rock, climate and relief (Strzemski, 1975). In North America, the idea was taken up by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and a clear statement along these lines may be found in “Soils and Men” (USDA, 1938):

“True soil is the product of the action of climate and living organisms upon the parent material, as conditioned by the local relief. The length of time during which these forces are operative is of great importance in determining the character of the ultimate product. Drainage conditions are also important and are controlled by local relief, by the nature of the parent material or underlying rock strata, or by the amount of precipitation in relation to rate of percolation and run‐off water. There are therefore, five principal...