ARS | Publication request: FACILITATING FINE-SCALE SOIL MAPPING FOR PRECISION FARMING

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 1999
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: In the southeastern Coastal Plain, yield maps often show little resemblance to soil survey maps drawn at the county level (1:20 000 scale). However, yield maps have shown some resemblance to soil survey maps drawn at the 1:1200 scale. At this level of detail, small, low-yielding inclusions can be distinguished and classed, thus improving correlation between yield and soil map unit. Because mapping at this scale is labor-intensive, procedures to facilitate the mapping process are needed. Ortho-rectified aerial photographs were scanned, georeferenced, and entered into an ARC/Info geographic information system (GIS). A grid of indicator lines was overlaid in the GIS, and working images were created for the mapper to use in the field. Location determined by GPS allowed the mapper to verify positioning. Map unit delineations were entered into the GIS for comparison to prior-season yield maps for corn and wheat. The county-scale and detailed soil maps are also compared.