Spatial variability of soil pH sampled by two methodologies used in precision agriculture in farms under crop rotation

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the spatial variability of pH in soils of two farms in the state of Paraná, Brazil, based on two different sampling methods used in precision agriculture, by means of geostatistical analyzes. The first method of sampling the pH grid consisted in the collection of soil samples by the traditional method (1 point / ha). The second method of pH determination was by on-the-go soil sensor (200 points / ha). The spherical model was better suited to most semivariograms, regardless of the sampling method. After adjusting the semivariograms for soil pH determination methods, thematic maps were made using normal kriging. The best spatial distribution of pH was obtained where the attribute was sampled by the on-the-go sensor. The number of pH samples collected and the sampling method influenced the visual representation of pH variability.

Keywords

• Spatial variability
• mobile contact sensor
• grid sampling
• geostatistics.