Evaluating Intra-Field Spatial Variability for Nutrient Management Zone Delineation through Geospatial Techniques and Multivariate Analysis

Haytham Mohamed Salem (), Linda R. Schott, Julia Piaskowski, Asmita Chapagain, Jenifer L. Yost, Erin Brooks, Kendall Kahl and Jodi Johnson-Maynard
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Haytham Mohamed Salem: Department of Soil and Water Systems, Twin Falls Research and Extension Center, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 1827, Twin Falls, ID 83303, USA
Linda R. Schott: Department of Soil and Water Systems, Twin Falls Research and Extension Center, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 1827, Twin Falls, ID 83303, USA
Julia Piaskowski: Statistical Programs, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive MS 2337, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
Asmita Chapagain: Department of Soil and Water Systems, Twin Falls Research and Extension Center, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 1827, Twin Falls, ID 83303, USA
Jenifer L. Yost: USDA-ARS, Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory, 808 East Blackland Road, Temple, TX 76502, USA
Erin Brooks: Department of Soil and Water Systems, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive MS 2060, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
Kendall Kahl: Department of Soil and Water Systems, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive MS 2060, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
Jodi Johnson-Maynard: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 2, 1-23

Abstract: This research study underscores the importance of effectively managing soil nutrients in a site-specific manner to enhance crop productivity while considering the spatial variability of the soil. The objective is to identify subfields with similar soil characteristics, referred to as management zones (MZs), to promote sustainable land utilization. This study was conducted in two central pivot fields located in Southern Idaho, USA, where barley and sugar beets were grown. Soil samples were collected from each field in a grid pattern and analyzed for various chemical properties. These properties included soil pH, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, excess lime, electrical conductivity, total inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, and boron. Descriptive statistics and normality assessments were performed, and the coefficient of variation was calculated to assess the heterogeneity of soil properties, revealing significant variability. To determine the spatial variability of soil properties, ordinary kriging was used revealing diverse spatial patterns for each location and soil variable examined with moderate to strong spatial dependence. To develop the MZs, a combination of principal component analysis and fuzzy k-means clustering was utilized, and specific parameters that represented the overall variability of soil properties in each field were identified. Based on the identified parameters, two clusters were created in each field. The first management zone (MZ1) exhibited lower values of soil pH, excess lime content, and electrical conductivity compared to the MZ2. Consequently, higher crop productivity was observed in MZ1 in both fields. The biomass yields of barley and sugar beets in MZ1 surpassed those in MZ2. This study highlights the effectiveness of the methodology employed to delineate MZs, which can be instrumental in precise soil nutrient management and maximizing crop productivity.

Keywords: site-specific nutrient management; management zones; principal component analysis; sugar beets; barley (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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