Applicability of the ‘recommendations for sustainable land use’ method for Brazilian tropical soils

Abstract

The current demand for the preservation of natural resources and biodiversity has led to the need to adjust agricultural activities according to land-use capability. One method, the ‘Recommendations for Sustainable Land Use’, aims to overcome the limitations of the diverse systems currently available for evaluating agricultural land capability. The aim of this work was to critically analyze the application of this method for tropical soils (Plinthosols and Planosols). The evaluation occurred in two phases: the first with application of the method, and the second analyzing whether the land-use recommendations were appropriate for the edaphic and landscape characteristics. We found that corrections to the methodology are needed to facilitate comprehension by the user. The suitability of classes of Plinthosols and Planosols should be adjusted with the incorporation of indicators associated with the presence of plinthite, and the improvement of indicators related to salinity and sodicity. With these adjustments, the ‘Recommendations for Sustainable Land Use’ method will be an important tool for the conservation of environmental resources such as soil and water.