Adapting the land agricultural suitability assessment scheme for drylands edaphoclimatic conditions

ABSTRACT The rational exploitation of the land requires planning its agricultural use, which can be supported by suitability (ALS) assessment. scheme to assess ALS proposed Food Agricultural Organization (FAO) has been adopted in Brazil based on guiding charts for subtropical, humid tropical and semi-arid climate. However, chart used region dramatically limited drylands rainfed agriculture practiced. In this study, an adequation assessment regarding edaphoclimatic conditions was improve representation areas allow a better soil conservation practices. south Ceará State (Brazil) assessed according FAO initial adaptation Brazilian conditions; subsequently, obtained two adequations. Adequation I disregarded limiting factor water availability, while II, besides disregarding established new limits classes effective depth. adequations resulted increase 177.19 % with regular crops detriment restricted only pasture or grazing lands. increased 41.26 area mapping units, 16.77 them were due modifications related depth, other 26.35 changes availability. results availability equivalent those observed through dynamic analysis land-use cover associated rainfall, demonstrated reduction fallow years rainfall within climatic normality. considered suitable crop production may included programs.