The major factors affecting the formation of soil are relief, parent material, climate, vegetation and other life-forms and time. Besides these, human activities also influence it to a large extent.

Factors that influence soil formation in Indian Conditions

• Parent Material
• Relief
• Climate
• Natural Vegetation

Parent Material

• The rocks from which soils are formed are called parent materials.
• In most of the cases, the parent material determines the colouration, mineral composition and texture of the soil.
• In some cases, the soil formed may or may not have the same physical properties of the parent rock.
• Climatic factors induce chemical changes which also affect physical properties of the soil.
• The surface rocks are exposed to the process of weathering. In this process, the rocks are converted into fine grains and provide a base for the soil formation.

Topography:

• On the plain surface, the soil is generally thick. On the steeper side of the land, very thin soil developed.

Climate:

• Temperature and precipitation are two active agents of climate that help in the soil formation processes such as weathering, erosion, and transportation.
• High temperature and high precipitation enhance the weathering, biological, and erosional activities.

For example, 

• there is a very thick weathered mantle present in the equatorial region due to high temperature and precipitation.
• Soil is generally thin in the desert and polar regions due to the absence of sufficient rainfall and temperature respectively.

Biological activities:

Vegetation and animals release acids that enhance chemical weathering. Flora and fauna, both are favorable for soil formation.

Time:

The length of time determines the maturity of soil profile( thickness) development. 

For example,

• Very thin soil is found in newly developed landforms.
• Thick soil is found in old landforms.
  • Mainly climate plays an active role in soil formation and global distribution.
  • Laterite soils develop in the presence of high temperatures and heavy rainfall in the equatorial region.
  • Desert soil develops in presence of high temperature and very scanty rainfall in the desert areas.
  • Chestnut soil develops in presence of moderate temperature and rainfall in the Mediterranean region.
  • Taiga soil with low humus content develops in the presence of heavy rainfall and low temperature in the higher latitude.

Factors Affecting Soil Formation,Factors Affecting Soil Formation

Also Read : Significance of Weathering