Factors of soil formation

The five soil forming factors act simultaneously at any point on the surface of the earth to produce soil :-

Active soil forming factors:         

i) Climate                                   ii) organism (vegetation or biosphere)

         These factors supply energy and act upon other soil forming factors.

Passive soil forming factors

         i) Parent material        ii) Relief                iii) Time        The passive soil forming factors are those which represent the source of soil forming mass and conditions affecting it. These provide a base on which the active soil forming factors work or act for the development of soil.