Parent material is the mineral material from which soil develops, originating from rocks that are weathered and transformed over time.
- Rocks such as granite, limestone, and sandstone are the source of all soil minerals. Except for nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon, these rocks supply vital minerals and nutrients that, when the rock decomposes, become accessible to plants.
- Weathering modifies parent material. It can be chemical (changing the mineral composition through reactions with water, oxygen, and other substances) or physical (breaking down by temperature changes or physical forces).
- Different parent materials produce distinct types of soil, which influence soil texture, nutrient content, and plant growth appropriateness. For example: Sandy soils typically include quartz (SiO₂), which contributes to their gritty feel. Calcite (CaCO₃) promotes alkaline soils. Feldspar and mica add potassium, magnesium, and iron to the soil.