Investigation of Soil Properties Effect on Crop Yield Performance

Abstract

Soil nutrient is essential for crop growth. Spatial variability of nutrients will have occurred in numerous scales, between regions, a field, particularly in soil properties. A study was carried out to observe the yield performance in an agricultural plot at Semujuk Jasin, Melaka. Using management zone delineation, the area is divided into fifteen smaller 6.8-meter × 6.8-meter plots. A soil sample from each plot was tested in the laboratory to obtain the soil moisture, organic matter, pH level, Phosphorus, and Manganese content. Using ArcGIS software, the result is interpolated using the Kringging method, mapped, and then compared with the crop value from each. Plot A3 generated the lowest yield with a crop yield value of RM6.8. This plot also has the lowest soil moisture content, which is 6.452%. Plot A1 produces only RM65.2 for crop yield, although it has 21.505% soil moisture content, while plot C1 only produces RM47.4 for crop yield value, although it has a higher soil moisture content of 23.265%. Regarding the soil organic matter content for both plots, plot A1 has only 1.455% organic matter content, while plot C1 has lower soil organic matter content, which is 0.823%. Plot B2, with a low pH value (4.51), shows a poor performance of RM52.6 regarding satisfactory readings on other plots. From the analysis made based on the experiment result, the primary limiting factor affecting crop performance is soil moisture content. Soil pH value and Organic Matter also play an essential role in determining crop performance.