Tag Archives: nutrient maps

423-429 R. Zinkevičius
Influence of soil sampling for precision fertilizing
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Influence of soil sampling for precision fertilizing

R. Zinkevičius

Lithuanian University of Agriculture, Studentų g. 15a, Akademija,LT–53362 Kauno raj., e-mail: Remigijus.Zinkevicius@lzuu.lt

Abstract:

The determination of the amount of nutrients in various field locations was investigated using the differential global positioning system (DGPS) and the nutrient mapping (active phosphorus, potassium and acidity) was carried out in order to use precise fertilizer rates for the crops. Two standard methods of taking soil samples are compared: the linear, in which the soil samples are taken from a 1 ha size grid in 50 m length in front of the plot centre with stated DGPS coordinates and 50 m behind the plot centre, and the circular, in which the soil samples are taken at the distance of 10–30 m from the centre point of the plot.The paper analyses the technologies based on precision agricultural methods. The impactof two different soil sampling methods, i.e. the linear and the circular, on the nutrient mapping has been stated. The fertilization plans for the target crop yield are based on the amount of nutrients in different field locations. In precision farming, when different rates of fertilizers are applied in separate plots of the field, circular soil sampling enables saving 31–136 kg ha-1 of active material of phosphorus when linear method of soil sampling is used. Economy of potassium fertilizers in the case of usual farming is less, i.e. 11 kg ha-1 when the linear method of soil sampling is used, and 17 kg ha-1 of active material of potassium when circular method of soil sampling is used.

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