Participatory assessment of soil quality with qualitative indicators in different land use systems

Abstract

In the participative evaluation of the quality of the soil, the involved ones question as to the form of production, to the use of the soil and to the reflection of its actions to the ground to fulfill its functions properly. Through the indicators it is possible to verify the negative or positive effects of management practices on soil quality. The objective of this work was to evaluate soil quality through participatory and qualitative indicators in different systems of agroecological use. The evaluation was carried out by seven post-graduate students, based on the Practical Guide for Participatory Evaluation of Soil Quality in Direct Planting System of Vegetables. The biological activity and organic matter indexes were superior for silvipastoril system with nucleus (SSPnucleus) and primary forest (F1) in relation to the soil of pastures without trees (PRVSA) and orchards. The SSPnucleus and PRVSA soil presented root depth, soil structure, compaction and erosion very similar to F1 soil.