Using Geostatistical Methods for Characterization of Variations in the Agrochemical Properties (Based on the Study of Arable Lands in Northern Kazakhstan)

Abstract

The agrochemical properties (humus content; available forms of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; pH; and specific electrical conductivity of water extract) of two tracts (1468 and 1378 ha) of the arable land from Petropavlovsk region of Northern Kazakhstan have been studied. The research shows that these tracts can be considered as belonging to the same type according to the average values and variability of their agrochemical properties. However, the analysis of experimental variograms indicates that the fields are significantly different from each other by spatial variability of the agrochemical properties. It has been demonstrated that interpolated cartograms of availability of the chemical elements in the fields require differential selection of methods for data interpolation that correspond to the results of variogram approximation.

Keywords

• arable soils of Northern Kazakhstan
• agrochemical properties
• spatial variability
• geostatistical analysis