Soil Forming Process

and
Parent material

Dr. Debabrata Das

Laterization (Alkali hydrolysis): The term laterite derived from Latin word later
means brick or tile. It is the process of accumulations of sesquioxides and
removal of silica.

Climate ---→ Warm-humid

Vegetation ----→ Broad leaf tropical vegetation (basic in nature)
Parent materal ----→ Basic parent materials than contain high Fe
(ferromagnesian minerals)
Dominat organism ---→ Bacteria

Note 1: High rainfall favours intense leaching of basic cations (Na, K and Ca) but
due to basic nature of parent material and vegetation, soil pH remains alkaline
to neutral. Silica being soluble in the alkaline conditions leach out of the
profile where as iron and aluminium oxides released during weathering remain
insoluble and coat the soil matrix and impart characteristic red colour to the soil

Note 2: The laterite (Oxisol) and Lateritic (ultisols) are mainly used for shifting
agriculture, low intensity grazing and growing plantation crops with adequate
nutrient supply
b) Intrazonal Soil forming Process: These pedogenic processes are more
influenced by certain local conditions such as relief or parent material than
climate and vegetation. Ex: Hydromorphic, halomorphic and Calcimorphic soils

5. Gleization: Glei (Russian word) refers to blue, grey, green clay. This process
results in the development of a gley horizon (g) in some part of profile due to
poor drainage condition, impervious soil parent material, lack of aeration etc.
Hydromorphic soils will be developed due to Gleization process.
6. Salinization: The process of accumulation of salts such as SO4 2- and Cl-
(sulphates and chlorides) of Ca, and Mg in soil in the form of a salic horizon
(z) leading to formation of saline soil. These soils are formed under arid and
semi arid climate where evaporation losses are more than precipitation. Area
having mor brackish ground water, depression lands and poor drainage
condition also leads to the formation of saline soils. If ground water table is
under capillary fringe, upward movement of capillary water followed by
evaporation results in accumulation of salts at soil surface or in root zones.

Note: The entire soil profile is categorized in three zones. The upper zone is
known as soil water zone/Root zone extends from the soil surface to the lower
boundary of the root zone. Below the soil water zone, there is unsaturated
zone called “Vadose zone” which extends up to the upper boundary of the
next zone which is called “ Capillary fringe zone” and is near saturated zone
occurring over the water table.
The recharging of ground water depends on the water flow through this
unsaturated “Vadose zone”
7. Alkalization: the process of accumulation of sodium ions on exchange
complex of the clay, resulting in the formation of alkali soils
(sodic/solonetz). These soils are also called black alkali soils and contain
mostly CO3 and HCO3 of Na and less amounts of Cl and SO4 of Ca and Mg

Note1: As the soil solution dries, most of the CO3 of Ca and Mg are
precipitated in soil solution much before the Na as sodium carbonate
which 100 times more soluble than Ca and Mg carbonates. Thus the
sodium remains in soil solution and its adsorption on exchange sites (Clay
and organic matter) is increased.

Note 2: The process of removal of Na from exchange sites is called

solodization/dealkalization. The amendment which is widely used for
amelioration of alkali soil is “gypsum”. Other ammendments like elemental
sulphur and pyrites can also be used. These amendments upon hydrolysis
and oxidation form sulphuric acid. This acid solubilizes calcium carbonates
of soil which replace the excess Na from the exchange sites with Ca
resulting reclamation sf soil
 8. Pedoturbation: Process of mixing of soil materials not by Illuviation

a. Faunal Pedoturbation: Mixing of soil by animals

b. Floral Pedoturbation: Mixing of soil by plants
c. Argillo Pedoturbation: Mixing of soil by churning process caused by swell shrinking of clays

[Note: Cryopedoturbation: Frost churning (Only in Gelisol soil order)- mixing due to freezing and thawing of soil
material]
Other some Important Pedogenic Processes
1. Translocation of Lime: removal in solution of lime from the upper part of the profile and its partial or total
accumulation in the lower part. The process leads to the formation of a kankar or calcic horizon

2. Leaching: Removal in solution of constituent form soil. Ex: Soluble salts

3. “Clay migration” or Lessivage: Removal of clay, particularly of fine clay in suspension from the upper part of soil
profile and its accumulation in lower part. [Note: Lessivage term was given by Dacha four]

4. Braunification or Rubification or Ferruginisation: Release of Fe from primary minerals and their dispersal as coating
on soil particles or as complexes with organic matter/clay or as discrete aggregates to impart a brown to red color to the
soil.

5. Regur Formation: Formation of intensity dark colour complex of smectite clay and humus. It is a dominant process in
black cotton soils
 Parent Material

It is defined as a loose unconsolidated mass of mineral matter formed upon the weathering of rocks which
serves as the raw material for soil formation. The parent material on which soils are developed can be divided
into two broad group's viz., Sedentary (formed in place) and Transported. The transported materials can be
sub divided according to the agencies of transportation and deposition described below.

1. Residual Parent material: When the soils are developed at a place from the underlying rocks, they are
said to have been formed from the residual parent materials. Such materials develop insitu from the
underlying rock.

2. Transported Parent Material: Based on transporting agent they are devided into following types.

❑ Parent material influences the quantity and type of clay minerals present in the soil profile. First, the
parent material itself may contain varying amounts and types of clay minerals. Second, the nature of the
parent material greatly influences the kinds of clay that can develop as the soil evolves.