This study aimed to propose critical levels for soil chemical properties using the reduced normal distribution in areas of family subsistence farming under maize and cowpea crops in the Brazilian semiarid. Soil samples were collected on family farms in the region of Inhamuns-Cratéus. To obtain the critical levels the reduced normal distribution was used which uses the productivity data and the relationship between productivity and soil chemical attributes and assigning the critical level for 90% of the maximum. Critical levels obtained for areas cultivated with maize and cowpea in the semiarid region are: OM (g kg-1): 7.3 and 7.5; pH: 6.6 and 6.5; P (mg dm-3): 8.6 and 8.2; K (mmol c dm-3): 2.8 and 2.7; Ca (mmol c dm-3): 33.3 and 22.4; Mg (mmol c dm-3): 11.2 and 9.9; and base saturation (%): 73 and 71, respectively. The critical level for reduced normal distribution can be used to obtain critical levels for soil chemical properties. The attributes most frequently for negative index over estimated critical level (NCRIz) are Ca > V > pH > Mg > K = OM > P and V > pH > P > OM > Mg > K > Ca areas for corn and cowpea, respectively.
Zea mays; Vigna unguiculata; soil fertility; semiarid; sertão Inhamuns-Crateús
