TERRA PRETA DE ÍNDIO: LEGADO ANCESTRAL PARA A AGROECOLOGIA E AGRICULTURA SUSTENTÁVEL
TERRA PRETA DE ÍNDIO: LEGADO ANCESTRAL PARA A AGROECOLOGIA E AGRICULTURA SUSTENTÁVEL
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.8882630048
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Palavras-chave: Biochar; Biodiversidade do solo; Carbono pirogênico; Matéria Orgânica; Resiliência Agrícola.
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Keywords: Biochar; Soil biodiversity; Pyrogenic carbon, Organic matter; Agricultural resilience
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Abstract: Indian Black Earth (TPI) is an anthropogenic soil of high fertility, originated from intentional management by pre-colonial indigenous peoples in the Amazon region. Formed through the systematic incorporation of organic and mineral residues, it presents unique chemical, physical, and biological properties, including high nutrient contents, abundance of beneficial microorganisms, and stable pyrogenic carbon. These attributes confer long-lasting fertility, even after centuries without organic matter replenishment. TPI exemplifies the integration of traditional knowledge and sustainable management, anticipating fundamental concepts of contemporary agroecology, such as nutrient cycling closure, biodiversity conservation, and reduced dependence on external inputs. Currently, the study of TPI inspires modern agricultural practices, especially by biochar, a material obtained by biomass pyrolysis that improves water and nutrient retention, reduces leaching losses, and acts as a long-term carbon sink. Applying these principles in sustainable agriculture promotes resilient production systems with lower environmental impact and greater resource use efficiency. In addition to its agronomic value, TPI represents a cultural and environmental heritage, whose recognition is essential for public policies and rural extension programs. By combining ancestral knowledge and contemporary science, this legacy offers viable solutions to address challenges such as soil degradation, climate change, and the need to sustainably intensify production, establishing itself as a reference for building more balanced and lasting agricultural systems.
- Renato Eleoterio de Aquino
- Murilo Fuentes Pelloso
- Lia Mara Moterle