Name: Jenevei A.

Alejan BSABE 2 Date Submitted: August 30,

2023

Principles of Soil Science

Exercise 1
LABORATORY REPORT
SOIL PROFILE: FACTORS OF SOIL FORMATION

INTRODUCTION:
Soil is a thin layer of material that forms on the earth's surface as a result of rock
weathering. It is primarily composed of mineral particles, organic materials, air, water, and
live beings, which all interact slowly yet continually. The majority of plants obtain their
nutrients from the soil and are the primary source of food for people, animals, and birds. As a
result, most living species on land rely on soil to survive.
Soil is a precious resource that must be handled properly since it is quickly destroyed,
washed away, or blown away. We will avoid harming one of the most important building
blocks of our ecosystem and food security if we understand and manage soil appropriately.

OBJECTIVES:
 To understand how each soil forming factors (CLORPT) influence the
type of soil formed.
 To determine the visible differences among soil profiles.
 To familiarize the definition and characteristics of each major soil
horizons.

METHODOLOGY:
In our first laboratory exercise was given to us two weeks before the submission, first
our professor gave to us a study guide and pictures of plates in every factor of soil formation
and also a work sheet where contained our first exercise and because she has only one copy
of the pictures of the plates where we can base on for us to answer the laboratory exercise she
group us into five group were it has four member each.
So each group identified and answer the different plates in every factor of soil
formation and we passed the plates that we have to other group so that they can observe and
identified the other plates, after identifying we put our answers in worksheet that she given to
us.
RESULTS & DISCUSSION:
The soil profile is a valuable tool for fertilizer management. We can learn a lot about
soil fertility by examining a soil profile. The profile of the soil varies as it weathers or organic
matter decomposes. A heavily worn, infertile soil, for example, generally has a light-colored
layer in the underlying soil from which nutrients have leached away. A highly fertile soil, on
the other hand, frequently has a thick surface layer that is rich in organic materials. We may
begin to estimate how a soil will function under various nutrient management circumstances
using cues offered by the soil profile.
There are 5 (five) factors of soil formation that we will discuss and the first one is Parent
Material. It describes the loosely packed organic or mineral particles that makes up the soil,
the physical and chemical traits of the parent material, such as color, texture, structure,
mineral content, and so forth, will be carried by the soil. For instance, soils will be red in
color and have the same texture as their parent material if they are generated from an area
containing sizable rocks (parent rocks) of red sandstone. The parent material has an impact
on the pace of soil formation as well.
The second is Climate. It is one of the most significant elements influencing soil formation.
The primary contributing variables affecting how the climate affects us are climatic elements
like precipitation and temperature. These elements have an impact on the region's level of
vegetation and forest cover as well as on human and animal activities. The weathering
process, which impacts the pace and procedure of soil formation, is also influenced by the
local climate.
The third one is Topography or Relief. The types of soils that are generated are highly
influenced by the shape, slope, and location of the land surface. The depth of the water table
or surface runoff have an impact on how the soil forms. The majority of the time, soils that
formed on slopes and higher altitudes are overly or properly drained. Water will flow more
quickly and might destroy the slope surfaces on steep, lengthy slopes. The type of soil that
forms in a region depends on the permeability of the soil as well as the length, steepness, and
structure of the slopes.
And the next is Organisms. All living things, such as bacteria, fungus, vegetation, people,
and animals, actively contribute to the production of soil. Some microorganisms encourage
acidic conditions and alter the soil's chemistry, which in turn affects the kinds of soil
formation processes that occur. Organic compounds are broken down by microbial
organisms, who then recycle the byproducts in the soil. Additional organic matter that is
degrading results from animal waste, dead insects, and dead animals. Additionally,
microorganisms support chemical processes and the cycling of minerals and nutrients.
Animals that dig into the ground mix the dirt and alter its physical composition. They often
increase the soil's air and water permeability. Their waste products lead to soil particle
agglomeration and enhance soil structure.
And the last one is the Time. Another consideration is the
amount of time it takes for all these elements to react with the soil. In general, it takes many
thousand years for substantial changes to occur in the process of soil formation. Even in
"stable" landscapes, these soil-forming forces nevertheless have an impact on the soils.
Materials are blown or wiped off the surface and materials are deposited on it. Depending on
the temperature, location in the terrain, and biological activity, additions, removals, and
adjustments might be gradual or quick.
Lab exercise results
1. Influence of parent material on soil formation.
Profile Plate Recognizable soil layers Solum features
based on soil solum (color, dept)
Plate 1a
Parent material: Residual
A Rust, 0-20 cm
B Orange, 20-37 cm
C Tangerine, 37-54 cm
Plate 1b
Parent material: Transported
A 0-150 cm
A and C >150 cm
*Presence of A, E, B horizons singly or in combination
Questions to answer:
a. How many horizons (A, E, and B) within the solum can you identify from each plate?

b. Compare the degree of development between soils formed from residual and
transported parent material (based on number of distinct A, E, B horizons).

2. Influence of climate on soil formation.

Profile Plate Recognizable soil layers Solum features
based on soil solum* (color, dept)
Plate 2a: Dry condition
A Brown Beige, 0-22 cm
Bk Soft Brown, 22-60 cm
Btk Wood, 60-100 cm
Bkkm1 Tan, 100-133 cm
Bkkm2 Blanched Almon, >133 cm
Plate 2b: Cold condition
Plate 2c: Subhumid
A Rust, 0-10 cm
Bt1 Burnt Orange, 10-25 cm
Bt2 Tangerine, 25-40 cm
Bt3 Pumpkin Orange 40-55 cm

Question to answer:
 a. What is the role of climate on the soil profile development?

3. Influence of vegetation on soil formation.

Profile Plate Recognizable soil layers Solum features
based on soil solum* (color, dept)
Plate 3a
Vegetation: Grassland
A Ochre, 0-25 cm
Bt Amber, 25-74 cm
Btk Flax, 74-96 cm
bk Saffron, 96-1257 cm
Plate 3b
Vegetation: Forest
Oi Pastel Yellow, 0-4 cm
E Flax, 4-23 cm
Bhs Ochre, 23-60 cm
Bs Amber, 60-100 cm
C Mustard, 100+ cm

Question to answer:
a. Which plate has thicker dark surface layer?
b. Explain the difference in thickness of the surface layer. (Hint: With roots as source of
OM, take note of the difference between the root systems in grass and forest trees.)
c. What is the source of dark color for both soils?
d. Which plate has darker color? Why?
4. Influence of topography on soil formation.
Profile Plate Recognizable soil layers Solum features
based on soil solum* (color, dept)
Plate 4a
Well-drained
Ap Gray, 0-10 cm
Bw Merigold, 24-67 cm
Cg Fossil, >67 cm
Plate 4b
Somewhat poorly drained

Questions to answer:
a. What is the meaning of “g” in the label of horizon(s)? Explain how “g” horizons
forms.
 b. What color is common among horizons or layer(s) showing “g” letter in their label?
c. What is the meaning of mottles?

5. Influence of time on soil formation.

Profile Plate Recognizable soil layers Solum features
based on soil solum* (color, dept)
Plate 5a
Very young soil
Ap Tan, 0-15 cm
C1 Tan, 15-90 cm
C2 Tan, 90-150 cm
Plate 5b
Young soil
A Brunette, 0-12 cm
Bw Dull Brown, 12-60 cm
C1 Wood, 60-100 cm
C2 Blanched Almon, >100 cm
Plate 5c
Mature soil
Ap Mahogany, 0-8 cm
Bt1 Burgandy, 8-22 cm
Bt2 Maroon, 22-40 cm
BC Barn Red, >56 cm
Plate 5d
Very old soil

Questions to answer:
a. How many horizons (A, E, and B) within the solum can you count from each plate?
b. Which plate have shown red color in their profile? Compare the intensity of red color
for these soils.
c. What is the source of red color in soils?
d. State observable relationship between the age and color of soils.
CONCLUSION:
-As you can see in the results and discussion it shows how the five factors of soil
formation has different influences on what would be the type of soil will formed.
-Soil profile is the vertical section of the soil from the ground.
-we have something called Master soil horizon or the horizontal layers that divided
into two the top or the soil surface that has dark color and including two layers that labeled as
letter O (rich in organic matter) and A (made up of minerals), and the subsoil or subsurface
horizon where including four layers that labeled as letter E ( bleach color), B (rich in clay
content), C (partially weathered rock and the R( bedrock).

REFERENCES:
 https://l.messenger.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org
%2F10.1016%2Fj.geoderma.2004.03.004&h=AT08IH0RHOkFGLu5hyyu3zfUxc
GQYqY2yHiAaJS-Hwezk30nK0GY9pyeGi6U6yq4aHyKbVoYgeSM-
hlamLr1tHro4t4RjrivlpeSU9y3P9MoB0dt0wJv7j-BwDDLpjyLA444WA
 https://l.messenger.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnesoil.com%2Fplymouth
%2Findex.htm&h=AT08IH0RHOkFGLu5hyyu3zfUxcGQYqY2yHiAaJS-
Hwezk30nK0GY9pyeGi6U6yq4aHyKbVoYgeSM-
hlamLr1tHro4t4RjrivlpeSU9y3P9MoB0dt0wJv7j-BwDDLpjyLA444WA
 http://nesoil.com/plymouth/formation.html#:~:text=Soils%20are%20formed
%20through%20the,developing%20in%20any%20given%20place.
 https://www.soils4teachers.org/formation