| dc.description.abstract | The concept of management zones has been proposed as a solution to the problems
associated with the soil variability to more efficiently apply agricultural inputs on a
site-specific basis. This study was designed to characterize and quantify the spatial
variation in soil properties and wild blueberry fruit yield and to delineate management
zones for site-specific fertilization. Two wild blueberry fields were selected in
central Nova Scotia, and a grid pattern (15 xis m) was established at experimental sites
to collect soil and fruit yield samples. The soil samples were analyzed for ammonium
nitrogen (NH4+-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), texture,
and soil organic matter (SOM). The volumetric moisture content (theta(nu)) and ground
conductivity data including horizontal coplanar geometry (HCP) and perpendicular
coplanar geometry (PRP) were also recorded at the same grid points. The location of the
sampling points were marked with a differential global positioning system (DGPS), and
field boundary, bare spots, weeds, and grass patches were also mapped. The cluster
analysis was performed to group the soil and fruit yield data into five zones termed as
'very poor,' 'poor,' 'medium,'
'good,' and 'very good' without prior knowledge of
productivity potential with the internal homogeneity and external heterogeneity at a
similarity level of greater than 70%. The coefficient of variation, geostatistical range
of influence, and kriged maps suggested moderate to high variability of soil properties
and fruit yield except soil pH and silt. The results of correlation matrix suggested
significant relationships among the fruit yield and the soil properties. The results of
ANOVA indicated that the fruit yield, HCP, PRP, theta(v), SOM, and inorganic nitrogen
were significantly different in developed management zones except poor and very poor
zones. The significant positive correlations of HCP and PRP with soil properties and
fruit yield suggested that the ground conductivity data can be used to develop
management zones for site-specific fertilization. | en_US |
