Characterization of soil conditions at the field level for soil specific management

Soil variability within fields is well documented by a variety of sources: soil survey, soil testing, and crop yields. Technology is emerging to vary field management procedures as the machinery traverses fields. This new concept can increase farm profitabily and reduce environmental pollution. Operational methods of soil characterization includes US National Cooperative Soil Survey maps and databases, various methods of field soil sampling, aerial photography and remote sensing techniques, and some soil sensors. Although some techniques have been used for many years, there is still a strong need to improve precision and procedures of methods. Soil specific management is a high technology type management. Easy-to-use soil characterization tools must be developed and incorporated into decision aid systems to insure a successful adoption of this emerging technology.