Small Scale Spatial Variability of Apparent Electrical Conductivity within a Paddy Field

W Aimrun,M S M Amin,M H Ezrin

doi:10.1155/2009/267378

W Aimrun, M S M Amin + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2009/267378

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Abstract

Quick variability description is an important component for zone management practices. Precision farming requires topping up of only the nutrients that are lacking in the soil to attain the highest yield with the least input. The apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) sensor is a useful tool in mapping to identify areas of contrasting soil properties. In nonsaline soils,ECais a substitute measurement for soil texture. It is directly related to both water holding capacity and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), which are key ingredients of productivity. This sensor measures theECaacross a field quickly and gives detailed soil features (one-second interval) with few operators. Hence, a dense sampling is possible and therefore a high-resolutionECamap can be produced. This study aims to characterize the variability of soilECawithin a Malaysian paddy field with respect to the spatial and seasonal variability. The study was conducted at Block C, Sawah Sempadan, Selangor, Malaysia, for three continuous seasons. SoilECawas collected after harvesting period. The results showed that deepECavisualized the pattern of the former river routes clearly as continuous lines (about 45 m width) at the northern and central regions of the study area. This exploration has shown different maps with higher contrast as compared to the existing soil series map for the study area. Seasonal variability test showed that theECathat was acquired during rainy season (collected after harvest in December to January) has the highest value as compared to another season.

Highlights

Soil variability in paddy fields is well recognized where its spatial variability and seasonal variability of soil chemical and physical properties within a field are unavoidable
This study aims to characterize the variability of soil electrical conductivity (ECa) within a Malaysian paddy field with respect to the spatial and seasonal variability
The aim of this study was to present the variability of ECa within the study area in a local spatial variability characterization

Summary

Introduction

Soil variability in paddy fields is well recognized where its spatial variability and seasonal variability of soil chemical and physical properties within a field are unavoidable. Precision farming requires topping up of only the nutrients that are lacking in the soil to attain the highest yield with the least input. Soil nutrient variability is needed for rapid measurement and monitoring. In order to overcome the problems, a sensor device known as VerisEC sensor was introduced. This device can rapidly measure ECa and exactly know the location. According to Moore and Wolcott [11], they found that ECa measures texture, nutrients, and crop yields as shown in their study results. They depicted soil ECa in the surface map using 400 square-foot grid cells.

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