Spatial modelling for describing spatial variability of soil physical properties in eastern Croatia
Igor Bogunović, Igor Đekmeti, Ivan Magdić, Matej Vrbanić, Stefan Matošić, Milan Mesić
https://doi.org/10.18047/poljo.22.1.7 (original scientific paper)
FULLTEXT
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to characterize the field-scale spatial variability and test several interpolation methods to identify the best spatial predictor of penetration resistance (PR), bulk density (BD) and gravimetric water content (GWC) in the silty loam soil in Eastern Croatia. The measurements were made on a 25 x 25-m grid which created 40 individual grid cells. Soil properties were measured at the center of the grid cell deep 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm. Results demonstrated that PR and GWC displayed strong spatial dependence at 0-10 cm BD, while there was moderate and weak spatial dependence of PR, BD and GWC at depth of 10-20 cm. Semi-variogram analysis suggests that future sampling intervals for investigated parameters can be increased to 35 m in order to reduce research costs. Additionally, interpolation models recorded similar root mean square values with high predictive accuracy. Results suggest that investigated properties do not have uniform interpolation method implying the need for spatial modelling in the evaluation of these soil properties in Eastern Croatia.
Correspondent author:
Igor Bogunović, Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Agronomski fakultet, Zagreb, Hrvatska, ibogunovic@agr.hr