Ethnopedological Knowledge of Jhumias in Garo Hills, Meghalaya, to Assess Soil Nutrients and Health

Ethnopedology is the study of documenting information from indigenous/local communities towards soil, its classification, usage, and management of fertility. This information on how a particular soil type can be better utilized for particular crops has been developed by farmers through extensive experience, but it is rarely reported. Keeping the importance of ethnopedology in mind, the present study was conducted in the West Garo Hills of Meghalaya where shifting cultivation farmers (jhumias) were interviewed to assess their ethnopedological knowledge for managing soil resources which was then validated through determination of soil fertility indices. Interaction with farmers revealed that amang is the common vernacular name of soil in the Garo community and they classify soil into four distinct categories. To assess and validate the soil properties of different soil categories, soil samples (0–30 cm depth) were collected and analysed to calculate the soil fertility index (SFI), soil evaluation factor (SEF) and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. The soil analyses showed that bulk density and SOC content and stocks were significantly different among soil categories and when compared with forest soils. However, other soil parameters like soil pH, exchangeable cations and available phosphorus did not differ. The soil health indices, SFI and SEF, were also not significantly different among soil categories although amang gisim, after forest soil, is more fertile in terms of SFI, SEF and SOC stock. That might be one of the reasons that jhumias in the Garo Hills prefer to cultivate this soil category with cereals. The ethnopedological knowledge developed by jhumias of the Garo community in Meghalaya is well validated with the help of standard soil analyses and can be incorporated in future soil health assessment studies.