IAC opens registration for soil classification course.

The choice of crop, the productive potential of an area, and agricultural management begin with knowledge of the soil. To train professionals who work directly with this strategic resource, the Agronomic Institute (IAC), linked to the Agribusiness Research Directorate (Apta) of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply of the State of São Paulo, is promoting the Course on Soil Classification and Production Environments for Plants, from September 14th to 16th.

With an intensive schedule, the course combines theory and practice over three days, from 8 am to 17 pm, and will be held in Campinas, Piracicaba, and São Pedro (SP). The investment is R$ 500, and registration is open on the Fundag website.

Coordinated by IAC researcher Ricardo Marques Coelho, in partnership with researcher André Cesar Vitti from Apta Piracicaba, the course presents knowledge about soils organized into two complementary systems: the Brazilian Soil Classification System (SiBCS), of a taxonomic nature, and the Production Environments for Plants system, which interprets different soil types to guide the agricultural management of various crops, such as sugarcane, soybeans, corn, coffee, and citrus. 

"The course was condensed into three days, with half of the program dedicated to theoretical classes and half to practical field activities. It is an opportunity to deepen knowledge about soils, understand classification systems, and interpret production environments to support decisions in agricultural management," says Ricardo Marques Coelho. 

According to the researcher, understanding soil characteristics is essential for increasing the efficiency of agricultural production. "Correct soil interpretation allows for more appropriate management, contributing to more productive and sustainable agriculture," he emphasizes.

The theoretical classes will be taught at the IAC headquarters in Campinas. The practical activities will take place at the Santa Elisa Farm, also belonging to the Institute, as well as at the Apta unit in Piracicaba and in soil profiles located in the São Pedro region. 

During the technical visits, participants will have contact with different soil classes and will learn, in practice, how to classify and interpret them, relating the observed characteristics to the productive potential of agricultural areas. The last day of the course will be entirely dedicated to field activities and will end at 17 pm in São Pedro, with return to Campinas after that time. 

This training is designed for professionals with basic or advanced training in soil science, researchers, graduate students, consultants, agricultural science professionals, and rural producers interested in deepening their knowledge of soil classification and interpretation for agricultural purposes.

Although there are no formal prerequisites, Ricardo explains that people who already have knowledge or experience in the area can benefit even more from the content. "The course starts with more advanced concepts, but it's open to anyone interested. Those who already have a theoretical or practical foundation in soil science tend to get even more out of the program."

Agenda

Over the course of three days, participants will address topics such as:

• Fundamentals of Soil Classification and the Brazilian Soil Classification System (SiBCS);
• Production Environment Concepts for Plants;
• Practical applications of soil classification and interpretation in different field profiles;
• Relationship between soil characteristics, productive potential, and sustainable agricultural management.

Registrations

Those interested can register through the Agricultural Research Support Foundation website (https://eventos.fundag.br/events/f4627ce2-42df-4344-843c-7ce68cc86617).