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Title: SPATIAL VARIABILITY ANALYSIS: A FIRST STEP IN SITE-SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT

Author
item Cambardella, Cynthia
item Colvin, Thomas
item Jaynes, Dan
item Karlen, Douglas

Submitted to: Integrated Crop Management Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/20/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This extended abstract report was prepared to highlight work of the Precision Farming Research Team at the National Soil Tilth Laboratory. The report has four sections: I. CAN MANAGEMENT AFFECT THE SPATIAL PATTERN OF SOIL FERTILITY VARIABLES? Semivariance analysis was used to detect the distance to which selected soil-test parameters were correlated and the strength of correlation. Distinct differences in spatial dependence patterns were observed for two farming systems. II. CAN SOIL BIOCHEMICAL DATA EXPLAIN YEAR TO YEAR YIELD VARIABILITY? Multiple linear regression analysis was used to relate crop yield patterns observed over 7 years with patterns in soil properties measured in one of the seasons. Soil structure is very important in defining water relations in this field. III. ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION AS A MAPPING AID FOR PRECISION FARMING. Electromagnetic induction techniques can map soil properties quickly and cheaply. We produced detailed field maps of soil properties including soil organic carbon content. IV. ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN FIELD VARIABILITY. Partial budgets were generated for 224 locations within one 40 ac field for seven years. At least 30% of the locations were found to have negative returns in each year when the field was farmed as one uniform unit.