Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/22.1.3011
Spatial mapping of soil chemical properties using multivariate geostatistics. A study from cropland in eastern Croatia
Igor BOGUNOVIĆ
orcid.org/0000-0002-8345-458X
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of General Agronomy, Svetosimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Lana FILIPOVIĆ
orcid.org/0000-0001-5028-5022
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Amelioration, Svetosimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Vilim FILIPOVIĆ
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Amelioration, Svetosimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Paulo PEREIRA
; Environmental Management Center, Mykolas Romeris University, Ateities g. 20, LT-08303 Vilnius, Lithuania
Abstract
The spatial variability of soil chemical properties is affected by factors of soil formation and human activities. Understanding their spatial variability will improve agricultural production, reduce environmental problems (e.g., soil pollution, offsite effects), and achieve sustainable agroecosystems. The main objective was to study the spatial variability of pH, soil organic matter, available phosphorus, and available potassium using univariate and multivariate methods in cropland fields in eastern Croatia. For the study, 169 (0-30 cm) soil samples were collected in a 911 ha study area. The results showed that soils had slightly acidic pH, adequate available phosphorus and potassium values for crop production, and low soil organic matter concentration. The variability was high in available phosphorus and low in pH. Soil pH, soil organic matter, available phosphorus, and potassium nugget/sill ratio was 0.00, 2.79, 18.68, and 22.08, respectively. Auxiliary variables increased the accuracy of the predictions. Soil organic matter levels were below the recommendable, and this is very likely an anthropogenic effect, even though the intrinsic process influences soil organic matter. The heterogeneous distribution of phosphorus and potassium highlighted the necessity of fertilization in some areas. For the sustainability of agroecosystems, adaptable site-specific soil management strategies need to be implemented.
Keywords
auxiliary data; Co-kriging; nutrient maps; land management; spatial variability
Hrčak ID:
254976
URI
Publication date:
28.3.2021.
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