Students compete in soil evaluation contest in Puebla

Students from across Mexico participated in the Eighth Soil Evaluation Contest held during the 50th Mexican Soil Science Congress at BUAP in Puebla. The competition focused on edaphology, the science of analyzing soil erosion, fertility loss, and biodiversity.

A team from the UNAM Faculty of Higher Studies Iztacala secured second place. The students performed detailed morphological descriptions and characterizations of soil profiles in two specific locations: Calpan and the Apatlaco Ecological Park within the Iztaccíhuatl-Popocatépetl National Park.

The evaluation process involved a 90-minute assessment consisting of ten activities, including sampling and analyzing soil texture, color, and chemical reactions. These studies are intended to determine soil health and guide proper resource management, helping to define whether land is suitable for crops, forestry, or conservation.