Abstract

ROJAS, Julieta Mariana; SCHAHOVSKOY, Nara  and  TOLEDO, Marcela. Relation between soil quality perception and quantification in Chaco orchards (Argentina). Cienc. suelo [online]. 2021, vol.39, n.2, pp.130-145. ISSN 1850-2067.

The scientific system evaluates soil quality (SQ) through quantifiable characteristics, however, there is a perception of SQ by the farmer, based on their own criteria, where the senses, age and educational level have a predominant influence. The objective of the work was to analyze the SQ perception of horticultural family farmers who lead agroecological (Ae) and conventional (Co) orchards through surveys and to compare them with laboratory and field measurements to evaluate if perception and measurements were correlated, and if the perception differentiated between productive systems. Work was carried out in 14 orchards in the Province of Chaco (Argentina), located in urban and peri-urban soils managed by low-income and educational-level producers. We studied the relationship between qualitative variables: presence of worms, erosion, tillage, wet color, compaction, infiltration, drainage, water retention, soil fertility, touch sensation, surface crust, surface coverage, hardness, odor, texture. and aeration; and quantitative: bulk density, change in mean weighted diameter, organic carbon, total nitrogen, extractable phosphorus, % sand, silt, clay, cation exchange capacity, equivalent humidity, total porosity, air space and number of worms by means of Multiple Correspondence Analysis. There was no significant correlation between SQ perception and the quantitative data and the perception did not allow to separate between productive systems (Ae and Co). The perception of surface coverage was highlighted, that is, the bare ground was visually easy to identify. It is essential to develop SQ assessment tools together with farmers in a participatory and integrated way, to broaden the perception and assessment of problems and consequently strengthen knowledge for food production and the conservation of this valuable resource.

Keywords : soil governance; family farming; soil quality indicators.

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