Spatial distribution and correlation of soil properties in a field: a case study

Abstract

Analysis of spatial distribution and correlation of soil properties represents an important outset for precision agriculture. This paper presents an analysis of spatial distribution and mutual correlations, both classical and spatial, of soil properties in an agricultural field in Klučov. Clay and fine silt content, pH, organic carbon content (Corg), moisture (Q), total porosity (Pt), capillary porosity (Pc), and coefficients of aggregate vulnerability to fast wetting (Kv1), to slow wetting and drying (Kv2), and to mechanical impacts (Kv3) were determined. Semivariogram ranges from 206 m (clay content) to 1120 m (Kv3) were detected. Many relationships between soil properties were spatially based. Fine silt content and Corg proved to be the most important soil properties controlling all the three aggregate vulnerability coefficients, which was not clear for Kv2 from classical correlation only. Determined spatial correlations and similarities in spatial distribution may serve as groundwork in delineation of different zones for site-specific management.

Keywords

• soil heterogeneity
• spatial distribution
• spatial correlation
• soil structure vulnerability
• precision agriculture