Name: Jenevei A.

Alejan BSABE 2 Date Submitted: September 1,

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 five variables of soil formation that can be seen in the varied soil profile:
factors of soil formation tables, and they are parent material, climate, vegetation, topography,
and time. The numerous soil performing factors influence the type of soil generated because
it is determined by the soil formation factors and how they react. Because temperature and
wetness impact the pace of chemical processes, which in turn influences how quickly rocked
weather and dead species decompose, the climate influences soil formation. Because the kind
of parent material affects which minerals will prevail in the soil, parent material has an
impact on soil development. Second, when the parent material weathers, nutrients are
released into the soil solution, where they may be absorbed by plants and other creatures.
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?
-The horizons (A, E, and B) within the solum present in the first plate which is plate
1a are 2 while in the other plate which is plate 1b are 2 same with the first 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).
-Residual soil is the one that remains a place of formation. Residual soils remain
above their parent rock, and their characteristics depends on the characteristics of the
plant rock. While the transported soils are the weathered pieces of rocks that have
been carried by several or combined agents like water or wind, an finally break down
into small pieces to settle from its parent rock.
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
F Bluish Gray
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?
-Climate is the typical pattern of the area over the long term, but weather is the actual
daily condition. Of interest, climate is one of the five soil forming and has a
significant influence on the properties of soil. Soils in warmer or wetter are more
developed than soils in cooler and drier climates. Climate indirectly affects soil
formation through its influence on organisms as well. High temperatures and rainfall
increase the degree of weathering and therefore the extent of soil development. Soils
develop faster in warm, moist climates and slowest in cold or arid ones. Rainfall is
one of the most important climate factors in soil formation.
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?
-Plate No. 30 (Grassland)

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.)
-Forest soils developed a thin layer surface horizon, a leached, light colored zone
while grassland has a thick, black surface horizon, black or dark color. Root systems
in grass have shallower roots that forest trees, but forest trees become less deep-rooted
with increasing rainfall.

c. What is the source of dark color for both soils?

-The decomposition or organic matter and the formation of humus, which is black or
dark brown in color.

d. Which plate has darker color? Why?

-The plate 3a which is grassland has a thick, black surface horizon, black or dark
color because of the decomposition of organic matter and formation of humus.
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
Ap Green Brown, 0-21 cm
Bg Olive, 21 cm

Questions to answer:
a. What is the meaning of “g” in the label of horizon(s)? Explain how “g” horizons
forms.
-The meaning of g in label of horizons is a water-logged layer.

b. What color is common among horizons or layer(s) showing “g” letter in their label?
-The color that is common among horizons or layers showing “g” letter in their label
is fossil or olive color.
c. What is the meaning of mottles?
-Mottles are spot or botches of different colour, generally grey or orange, interspersed
with the dominant soil colour. The number, size, and colour of soil mottles provide a
good indication of how well the soil is aerated.
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
Ap Maroon, 5-23 cm
Bo1 Red, 23-68 cm
Bo2 Light Red, 68+

Questions to answer:
a. How many horizons (A, E, and B) within the solum can you count from each plate?
-In plate 5a, there is one horizon (A, E, and B) within the solum, in the plate 5b, there
are 2 horizons in the solum present. In plate 5c, there are 4 horizons (A, E, and B)
within the solum and lastly, in plate 5d, there are 3 horizons (A, E, and B) within the
solum.

b. Which plate have shown red color in their profile? Compare the intensity of red color
for these soils.
-The plates that have shown red color in their profile are plate 5c and plate 5d. The
intensity of red color in plate 5c is less red than plate 5d. These two plates are
categorized as mature soil and very mature soil.

c. What is the source of red color in soils?

-Soil color is usually due to 3 main pigments but since we are talking about the source
of re color in soils is because or iron and aluminum oxides

d. State observable relationship between the age and color of soils.

 -The relationship between the age and color of soils in each plate is it differs from one
another. The age of soils depends from its color. If it is tan color, we can say that the
soil is very young. If the soil is brown in color, we can simply identify that it is young
soil. If the soil is red, we can say that it is mature soil and if it is very red dark, the soil
is very old.

CONCLUSION:
- The proportional importance of each element varies by location, but the combination
of all five factors usually defines the type of soil that develops in any particular location.
Moving on, there are three types of soil profiles: sandy, clayey, and loamy. They differ in
color, texture, structure, and thickness. Finally, in the third goal. Soils A, E, and B are the
principal soil horizons. When you think of dirt, you generally think of soil horizon A. It's
called topsoil. It is made up of biological stuff, 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