Ethnopedological Study of the Ejido San Juan and San Agustín in Jocotitlán, State of Mexico

Abstract

The ethnopedological approach is relevant, first, because ancestral local soil knowledge, and other related resources knowledge is rescued, as well as to dif ferentiate and evaluate the lands/soils of an area, and to recognize the veracity of the farmer’s opinions about the quality of the soil, its properties and characteristics, as well as agricultural practices and their organization for the water use. The farmers of the ejido San Juan y San Agustín, Jocotitlán, State of Mexico identified five types of land: barro (Vertisols), (Umbrisols), revuelta (Phaeozems), colorada (Cambisols) y tepetate (Regosols), taking into account texture, color, moisture content and porosity. They define tierra barro as the best when climatic conditions are optimal, and tierra blanca and colorada as the best option considering the behavior of the climate in recent years, since farmers report that the main limitation for production in the five classes of land, is the decrease in precipitation. In addition to the presence of rain, they give a lot of weight to the work done and the economic resources invested to have an idea of the average yield of a type of land. Scientifically, discrepancies were found with the classification reported by of ficial institutions regarding soil groups, as well as data on land use and vegetation. Considering that, due to the level of detail and the importance of local knowledge, it is advisable to consider it in the planning of its development.