Soil apparent electrical conductivity and geographically weighted regression for mapping soil

• Published in: Precision agriculture Vol. 12; no. 5; pp. 750 - 761
• Main Authors: Terrón, J. M., Marques da Silva, J. R., Moral, F. J., García-Ferrer, Alfonso
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.10.2011; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Agriculture; Analysis; Atmospheric Sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cation exchange; Chemistry and Earth Sciences; Computer Science; Conductivity; Life Sciences; Mapping; Physics; Precipitation; Regression analysis; Remote Sensing/Photogrammetry; Salinity; Sensors; Soil conductivity; Soil management; Soil properties; Soil Science & Conservation; Soils; Spatial data; Statistics for Engineering; Studies; Spain, Extremadura; Spain; ); Clay soil; Site-specific management; Soil apparent electrical conductivity (Ec; Soil mapping
• ISSN: 1385-2256; 1573-1618
• DOI: 10.1007/s11119-011-9218-5

To resolve the spatial variation in soil properties intensively is expensive, but such knowledge is essential to manage the soil better and to achieve greater economic and environmental benefits. The objective of this study was to determine whether the soil apparent electrical conductivity (EC a ), alone or combined with other variables, is a useful alternative for providing detailed information on the soil in the Extremadura region of Spain. Apparent soil electrical conductivity was measured and geographically weighted regression was used to characterize the spatial variation in soil properties, which in turn can be used for soil management. This study shows that soil cation exchange capacity, calcium content, clay percentage and pH have a relatively strong spatial correlation with EC a in the soil of the study area.