Soil Classification Based on Local and Scientific Knowledge in an Irrigated District in the Semi-Arid Region of Brazil

Jucirema Ferreira da Silva, Miguel Ferreira Neto, Jeane Cruz Portela, Joaquim Emanuel Fernandes Gondim, Stefeson Bezerra de Melo, Diana Ferreira de Freitas, José Francismar de Medeiros, Nildo da Silva Dias, Tayd Dayvison Custódio Peixoto and Francisco Vanies da Silva Sá ()
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Jucirema Ferreira da Silva: Department of Agronomic and Forest Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró 59625-900, RN, Brazil
Miguel Ferreira Neto: Department of Agronomic and Forest Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró 59625-900, RN, Brazil
Jeane Cruz Portela: Department of Agronomic and Forest Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró 59625-900, RN, Brazil
Joaquim Emanuel Fernandes Gondim: Center of Agrarian and Biological Sciences, Universidade Estadual Vale do Acaraú, Acaraú 62580-000, CE, Brazil
Stefeson Bezerra de Melo: Department of Agronomic and Forest Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró 59625-900, RN, Brazil
Diana Ferreira de Freitas: Department of Soil Sciences, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza 60355-636, CE, Brazil
José Francismar de Medeiros: Department of Agronomic and Forest Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró 59625-900, RN, Brazil
Nildo da Silva Dias: Department of Agronomic and Forest Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró 59625-900, RN, Brazil
Tayd Dayvison Custódio Peixoto: Center of Agrarian and Biological Sciences, Universidade Estadual Vale do Acaraú, São Benedito 62370-000, CE, Brazil
Francisco Vanies da Silva Sá: Department of Agrarian and Exact, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Catolé do Rocha 58884-000, PB, Brazil

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-19

Abstract: Ethnopedology offers a unique opportunity to recognize and highlight invaluable local soil knowledge (LSK). We aimed to classify three soil profiles in a Brazilian irrigated district with salt-affected soils based on smallholder farmers’ LSK and scientific knowledge. The study occurred in the Baixo-Açu irrigation district in Brazil’s semi-arid region. Three soil profiles were characterized by researchers (etic approach) and farmers (emic approach) in the following areas: P1 profile (area under banana cultivation), P2 profile (fallow area), and P3 profile (native forest area). Smallholder farmers identified the studied areas with salt problems based on the salt precipitation on the surface, changes in leaf color, and incidence of indicator plants of salinized areas. Researchers classified P1 profile as Pantohypereutric Calcaric Leptic Cambisol (Loamic, Humic), P2 as Pantohypereutric Calcaric Leptic Cambisol (Loamic, Humic), and P3 as Leptic Calcic Chernozem (Loamic). Smallholder farmers classified the P1 profile as “Terra de Salitre” (Salt Soil), the P2 profile as “Terra de Piçarro” (Saprolite Soil), and the P3 profile as “Terra Boa” (Good Soil). The results indicate that valuing local soil knowledge is effective and crucial for improved scientific research and land use, highlighting the importance of recognizing and utilizing their expertise and experience.

Keywords: local soil knowledge; ethnopedology; salinity; soil quality; semi-arid region (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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