Which one of the following is the active factor of soil formation?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (A) Climate

Explanation:
• According to V.V. Dokuchaev and later Hans Jenny, soil formation is a function of five factors: $S = f(Cl, O, R, P, T)$.
• These factors are divided into Active and Passive categories.
• Active Factors: These supply energy that directly drives the soil-forming processes. They include Climate (temperature and precipitation) and Biosphere/Organisms.
• Climate is considered the most influential factor because it determines the rate of chemical weathering and the type of biological activity.
• Precipitation provides the water necessary for chemical reactions and the leaching of minerals, while temperature regulates the speed of these reactions.

Information Booster:
• Passive factors are those that provide the "base" or "stage" for the active factors to work on. These include Parent Material, Relief/Topography, and Time.
• The concept of soil as a natural body formed by these factors is the foundation of Pedology.
• Jenny's equation ($1941$) is the most famous representation of this model.

Additional Knowledge:
• Relief/Topography (Option B & C): These are passive factors that influence soil depth and drainage but do not supply energy for weathering.
• Time (Option D): A passive factor; it represents the duration over which the active factors have been operating on the parent material.