Soil spatial variability and site-specific fertilization maps in an apple orchard

• Published in: Precision agriculture 2011-02, Vol.12 (1), p.118-129
• Main Authors: Aggelopoulou, K. D., Pateras, D., Fountas, S., Gemtos, T. A., Nanos, G. D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Agriculture; Analysis; Apples; Atmospheric Sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cation exchange; Chemical elements; Chemical properties; Chemistry and Earth Sciences; Computer Science; Crops; Data analysis; Environmental impact; Fertilizers; Fruits; Horticulture; Life Sciences; Nitrogen; Nutrients; Orchards; Organic matter; Physics; Remote Sensing/Photogrammetry; Skewness; Soil properties; Soil Science & Conservation; Soil texture; Soils; Statistics for Engineering; Studies; Technology adoption; Trees
• ISSN: 1385-2256; 1573-1618
• DOI: 10.1007/s11119-010-9161-x

In the present study, the spatial variability of some soil physical and chemical properties in a 0.8 ha apple orchard were studied. Sixty soil samples were taken from two sampling depths: 0–0.3 m and 0.3–0.6 m. The soil samples were analyzed for the following soil properties: soil texture, pH, cation exchange capacity and NO 3 –N, NH 4 –N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, B and organic matter content. Data analysis indicated that most of the nutrients were at sufficient levels. The site-specific application map for N was created based on the amount of N that was removed from the soil with the yield of the previous year. By applying N site-specifically, 38% of N could be saved compared to uniform application.