Qualidade dos solos agrícolas: avaliação físico-química e apreciação dos agricultores em assentamento do município de Ocara, Ceará

Abstract

Inter-dependence exists between farmers, soil and soil sciences. Having an accurate appreciation of soil quality is an important question in the pursuit of sustainable lands management. The study was conducted in a settlement of landless agricultural laborers (assentamento) named Che Guevara, district of Ocara-CE, where the principal production is the cashew tree. The first goal of this study was to understand why several forms of land use exist in this agrarian system and which elements are most influencing the evolution of the assentamento. In a second part of the study, answering the following questions, "Which soil quality perceptions do farmers have?" and "What is the chemical quality of this soil?", local and scientific knowledge were connected. Semi-structured interviews of farmers were realized revealing that they perceive soil quality as one of the several factors that influence farming. Soil samples were collected from the crop area, at 0-20 cm depth. Quemical analyses in the laboratory were running, setting quantitative data to assess soil fertility. This study demonstrates the relevance of integrating scientific and local knowledge. Considering the multi-functionality of the soil, we concluded on the need of gathering different methods to assess soil quality and both knowledge in order to have a wide vision of soil resource and search means to improve sustainable management.