Rocks and Minerals, the Foundation of Soils

The skeleton of most soils is the inorganic matrix produced through mechanical, chemical and climatic weathering of rocks and minerals.

Soils are formed through action of the five major soil formation factors of parent materials, topography, biology, time and climate. From the resulting processes are formed soils with specific sets of characteristics and properties.

The mechanical, chemical and physical weathering processes that produce soils may occur over many thousands of years. Mankind's management of soils is often an attempt to arrest the natural decline of soil properties as they become more infertile over time.

Soil texture is one of the chief characteristics of soils and defines the range and proportion of sand, silt & clay particles present.

Soil texture is a defining property that influences physical management,   soil chemistry and soil organic  matter content.