Describe the factors affecting soil formation.

Factors Governing Soil Formation (Pedogenesis):

(Hans Jenny's Fundamental Soil Equation: S = f(Cl, O, R, P, T))

1. 1. Climate (Cl - Primary Active Factor):
   • Precipitation & Temperature Regimes: Regulates the kinetic rates of chemical weathering, leaching, and biological decomposition. High precipitation drives intense eluviation/illuviation forming Laterites, while arid regimes concentrate evaporitic calcic salts.
2. 2. Parent Material / Bedrock (P):
   • Determines the foundational mineralogical composition, soil texture, chemical pH, and color (e.g., Deccan Basalt weathering yields Montmorillonite-rich Black Cotton Regur Soil; Felsic Granites yield Red Arenaceous Soils).
3. 3. Relief and Topography (R):
   • Slope Angle & Aspect: Steep slopes promote rapid gravitational runoff and physical erosion, inhibiting deep pedogenesis (thin regolith), whereas flat alluvial floodplains accumulate thick, stratified soil horizons.
4. 4. Biological Organisms & Vegetation (O):
   • Flora, fauna, burrowing macroorganisms, and microbial detritivores humify organic leaf litter into fertile Humus, improving soil aeration, aggregate stability, and nutrient exchange capacity.
5. 5. Chronological Time (T - Passive Factor):
   • Determines profile maturity and distinct horizonation (O, A, B, C Horizons). Young soils (recent alluvial Khadar) lack differentiated structural horizons, whereas chronologically mature soils exhibit fully formed pedogenic profiles over millennia.