Diagnóstico da qualidade do solo em áreas sob produção agroecológica de sementes a partir da percepção dos agricultores

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the soil quality carry out diagnosis using indicators built through the scientific knowledge integrated with the locally developed knowledge of the farmers in the certified areas of agroecological production in the Conquest of Freedom Settlement. The methodological procedures included exploratory and field research. The data were collected through a semistructured Interview, carried out from August to November 2017, during a visit to the ten lots of farmers associated with APECOL, producers of oilseed, corn and bean seeds. In May 2018, in each production area and in two native vegetation areas, soil samples were collected in the 0.00-0.20m layer to determine soil pH, macronutrient content, organic matter content, texture, horizon thickness, edaphic mesophyne organisms, soil density, total porosity, macroporosity and microporosity. In characterizing the main management of the soilwater- cover system used by the settled farmers in the areas of agroecological production of seeds, it was identified that, in the majority, farmers use a management that is based on maintaining the green cover, with a crop rotation planning, soil preparation with harrow and cultivation of beans and corn. The soil quality indicators more easily perceived by settled farmers were those related to the morphological (depth of Hz A), chemical (MO content and nutrients), biological (presence of organisms) and physical (texture, density and porosity) characteristics. The evaluation of the different physical, chemical and biological indicators of the soil allowed identifying, in general, an adequate soil quality cultivated in the areas under agroecological management after a period of at least 10 years. In establishing the relationships between soil quality and the management of the soil-water-cover system adopted by settled farmers associated with APECOL, it was verified that these were positively related, considering that in most of the analyzed areas the quality indicators of the soil had values within acceptable limits.