Stretching Soil Sampling to Watershed: Evaluation of Soil‐Test Parameters in a Semi‐arid Tropical Watershed

Soil sampling is an integral component of fertility evaluation and nutrient recommendation for efficient use of nutrients in crop production. Little attention has been devoted to evaluating methodology for sampling watersheds under dryland agriculture. A stratified random sampling methodology for sampling the Appayapally watershed in Mahabubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh state in the semi‐arid tropical region of India was adopted and evaluated. The watershed has an area of about 500 ha, with gentle sloping lands (<1% slope), and 217 farmers own land in the watershed. The soils are Alfisols. A total of 114 soil samples were collected from the top 15‐cm layer to represent the entire watershed. Each sample was a composite of 7–8 cores, randomly collected from the area represented by a crop and group of farmers. The soil samples were air dried, ground, and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), and extractable phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and boron (B). Statistical analysis of the results on soil fertility parameters showed that the mean‐ or median‐based results of soil tests performed in the study did not differ significantly when the sample set size varied from 5 to 114 (100% of the population). Our results indicate that farmers' fields in the Appayapally watershed are uniform in the chemical fertility parameters studied, and even a small sample set size can represent the whole population. However, such a sampling strategy may be applicable only to watersheds that are very gently sloping and where fertilizer use is very low, resulting in an overall low fertility in the whole watershed.     

江汉平原后湖地区土壤肥力综合评价方法及其应用

根据模糊数学和多元数理统计分析原理 ,建立了一个定量的土壤肥力综合评价方法 ,并应用于大比例尺样区的土壤肥力综合评价。首先 ,通过野外调查和室内理化分析 ,选取了 9项评价指标 ,包括全 N、全 P、全 K、速效P、速效 K、物理性粘粒、粉粘比、表土层厚、p H;并根据植物效应建立两类隶属度函数 ,分别计算出隶属度值 ;然后 ,利用 AHP法确定各因子的权重 ,根据隶属度值和权重 ,求出各参评指标的分值及评价单元土壤肥力总分值 ;最后 ,利用聚类分析法将样区土壤肥力划分为五级 ,并借助 GIS软件 Map GIS绘制样区的土壤肥力综合评价图。江汉平原后湖地区土壤肥力主要为一、二级 ,一、二、三、四、五级肥力土壤分别占 2 4 .2 5 % ,5 2 .3 4 % ,11.2 0 % ,6.15 % ,6.0 6%。     

Evaluating soil maps for prediction of soil water properties

Conventional soil survey stratifies a region into mapping classes and characterizes each by a representative soil profile within it. The efficacy of the procedure for predicting particle-size fractions, bulk density, water retention, and available water capacity (AWC) of the soil at previously unvisited sites on the Plain of Languedoc in southern France is evaluated for three scales of survey (1/10 000, 1/25 000 and 1/100 000) and is compared to that of prediction from stratified random and simple random samples. Data from 85 soil profiles on a random transect were used for evaluation. Classification partitioned the variation of the measured properties, except for AWC, well at the 1/10 000 and 1/25 000 scales, whereas classification at the 1/100 000 scale was less effective. At the 1/10 000 and 1/25 000 scales both classification and stratified random sampling were better for prediction than simple random sampling for the same total sample. On average the representative profiles proved substantially better predictors than the stratified random samples, but in most situations where soil stratification performed well efficiencies of the two predictors were similar. In essence, the more successful the classification was the more difficult it was to improve prediction by selecting representatives instead of sampling randomly within classes. These results confirmed statistically that the soil surveyor can exercise intuition and judgement to classify and select representatives.     

Application of a visual soil examination and evaluation technique at site and farm level

Visual soil examination and evaluation (VSEE) techniques are semi‐quantitative methods that provide rapid and cost‐effective information on soil quality. These are mostly applied at site or field level, but there is an increased need for soil quality indicators at farm level to allow integration with other sustainability indicators. The objectives of this study were to develop and apply a protocol for application of a VSEE technique at site level, to assess the VSEE observations against standardized laboratory analyses and to aggregate VSEE observations to farm level using an appropriate sampling design. The study was conducted at ten dairy farms in a reclaimed polder in the Netherlands with clay and organic soils. A stratified random sampling design was used to account for spatial variability in land use and soil series. VSEE was carried out using the Visual Soil Assessment approach. Results show that 81% of sites were assessed as good and the remainder as moderate to poor. For the clay soils, field observations of soil structure were significantly correlated with pH, bulk density, soil organic matter (SOM) and mean weight diameter of aggregates, whereas for organic soils, soil structure significantly correlated with pH, bulk density, organic C and SOM. The range in overall scores calculated at farm level was smaller than at site level, and most farms were assessed as good.     

土壤制图中多等级代表性采样与分层随机采样的对比研究

采样设计是土壤地理研究中备受关注的重要问题。本文以区域尺度土壤属性制图为例,将多等级代表性采样与经典采样中的分层随机采样进行对比研究。以安徽宣城研究区的表层砂粒含量为目标要素,采集数量均为59个的两套样点,设计不同数量(46、58和59)的样点分组,采用两种制图方法进行制图并利用独立验证点进行评价。结果表明:1)无论是采用多元线性回归方法还是基于环境相似度的制图方法,在同等样点数量下,利用代表性样点所得土壤图精度均高于利用随机样点所得精度,并且利用少量代表性样点(46个)所得土壤图精度也高于利用多量随机样点(59个)所得精度;2)随着代表性较低样点的增加,土壤制图精度基本有一个提高的趋势,而采用随机样点所得土壤图的精度波动较大。因此,可认为多等级代表性采样方法是一种可用于区域尺度土壤调查的有效采样方法,且比分层随机采样高效、稳定。     

短距离样点对土壤呼吸空间变异预测精度的影响

不同采样设计会对土壤呼吸空间变异特征的预测精度产生重要影响。本研究选取黄淮海平原北部潮土区1 km×1 km夏玉米样地,在7×7单元规则格网(样点间距167 m)、完全随机(样点平均间距433 m)以及3×3单元规则格网+完全随机(样点平均间距405m)3种布点方式的基础上,保持样本总量(49)不变,以占总样点2%～14%的短距离样点(样点间距4m)随机替换原方案相应样点个数的方法优化布点方式,应用普通克里金法插值,以均方根误差(RMSE)和确定系数(R2)作为验证指标,检验基于3种布点方式设置的短距离样点对土壤呼吸空间变异预测精度的影响。结果表明:研究区土壤呼吸平均速率为2.65μmol·m?2·s?1,空间分布均呈西高东低,表现出中等程度变异。采样设计对土壤呼吸空间分布的预测精度影响显著,基于3种布点方式设置短距离样点可提高预测精度7%～13%。无短距离样点替换时,规则格网+完全随机的布点方式最优,比完全随机布点和规则格网布点的空间插值预测精度分别提高10%和22%;设置短距离样点替换后,在最优布点方式(规则格网+完全随机)中,对土壤呼吸空间变异的预测精度可再提高4%～7%,其中短距离样点个数占样本总量10%对土壤呼吸空间变异预测精度的提高最为明显。研究发现,基于相同的样本数量设置短距离样点可增加区域范围内样点密度,提高土壤呼吸空间变异预测精度及试验结果的可靠性。因此,在黄淮海平原北部潮土区100 hm2尺度的夏玉米样地中,规则格网+完全随机+10%短距离样点的布点方式是预测土壤呼吸空间变异最适宜的采样布点方式。     

数据驱动的农作物遥感分类地面样本点布设

地面样本点是农作物遥感分类模型训练的基础，样本点数量和质量是影响模型分类精度的2个主要因素。该研究构建了数据驱动的样本点布设方法，利用待分类影像的光谱、植被指数等特征构造分层抽样底图，结合分层随机抽样方法进行地面样本点布设，并分析不同抽样策略对农作物遥感分类结果的影响。采取基于k-means聚类分析的数据驱动方法，考虑6景哨兵2号影像提取的共78个分类特征，生成同一个最优k的聚类结果图；设计等量分配和按面积比分配2种样本量分配方式，样本点数量为25、49、100、169、225的5个总样本量；基于不同抽样策略获取地面样本点信息，利用同一个支持向量机模型对待分类影像进行监督分类，并通过与139个样本点的理论总样本量和400个样本点的传统方式总样本量对比分析，定量解析不同抽样策略对分类精度的影响。结果表明：1）在数据驱动非监督聚类生成的底图上进行抽样（按面积比分层抽样法、等量分层抽样法）获得的样本点质量和分类精度明显优于没有该底图的抽样策略（简单随机抽样法、系统抽样法）；2）当总样本量低于理论总样本量时，等量分层抽样法能获取比按面积比分层抽样法更高的分类精度。例如，当理论样本量为139时，...     

采样数量与空间插值方法对华北平原典型区土壤质量评价空间预测精度的影响

空间插值方法的差异以及采样数量不同对土壤质量评价空间分布的预测精度会产生影响。本文通过随机抽样的方法,以山东省禹城市的土壤质量指数为例,从359个土壤采样点中抽取了340,170,90,50,30五个样本子集,通过普通克里格、简单克里格、反距离加权法和样条函数法4种插值方法,分别对其空间变异和布局进行了解析和预测。结果表明：不同插值方法对预测精度影响不显著,而采样点数量则显著影响了土壤质量指数空间分布预测的精度。本文提出在华北平原县域尺度上,以土壤质量评价作为调查目的的土壤采样中,90个样点是比较适宜的采样数量。同时,将我们的结果与Cochran最佳采样数量计算公式获取的最佳采样量比较后发现,Cochran方法获取的最佳采样数量明显偏低,若不考虑实际的空间变异情况,仅仅使用Cochran公式可能会导致土壤质量空间预测不准确。     

基于地统计的土壤养分采样布局优化

传统的土壤养分采样布置方法都是基于采样区土壤特征状态空间随机变异的假设。而地统计学研究表明,土壤特征状态在空间上有关联性,因此利用传统方法来制定采样方案并不是最优的,因为它没有考虑土壤特性的空间相关性,不能反映其局部的变化特征。该文在分析土壤肥力空间变异的基础上,研究利用经典统计学方法确定合理的采样点数目,并基于地统计学的半方差函数拟合与Kriging方法确定合理的采样点布局的方法,选择典型地区的土壤肥力进行空间变异分析和采样点布置的优化设计。研究结果表明：在合理的位置布置14个采样点就可以满足典型基地种植区绘制施肥处方图进行变量施肥决策的要求;利用经典统计学与地统计分析相结合的方法进行农田尺度的土壤肥力采样布点优化分析具有良好的可行性。     

空间自相关性对冬小麦种植面积空间抽样效率的影响

空间抽样是实现区域农作物面积高效估算的重要手段,农作物分布受自然条件等因素影响普遍存在空间自相关性,但以往针对空间相关性对农作物面积抽样效率的影响研究明显不足。该研究选取安徽省凤台县为研究区,通过2017年4月4景GF-1全色多光谱影像(Panchromatic and Multispectral, PMS)与Google Earth高空间分辨率影像相结合提取研究区冬小麦。设计10种抽样单元尺度、3种抽样外推方法、2种相对允许误差和5种样本布局方式,构建多种冬小麦面积空间抽样方案。利用全局莫兰指数(global Moran’s index)评价不种尺度下抽样单元内冬小麦面积比的空间自相关强度,分析空间自相关性对冬小麦面积抽样效率(抽样误差、样本容量和空间布局)的影响。研究结果表明,抽样单元内冬小麦面积比的空间自相关强度随单元尺度的增大而减小,全局莫兰指数相应地由0.75降至0.50。无论在何种尺度下抽样单元内冬小麦面积比都呈显著的空间正相关性;抽样外推冬小麦面积总体的误差随空间自相关强度的减小呈先减小后明显增大的趋势。在10种抽样单元尺度中,当抽样单元尺度为2000m且抽样比为5%时,无论采用何种抽样方法外推总体的误差均为最小(简单随机抽样、系统和分层抽样外推总体的相对误差分别为17.94%、9.48%和1.82%);当相对允许误差设计为5%时,简单随机抽样外推总体所需样本容量随空间自相关强度的降低从660降至56。而分层抽样的样本容量不受空间自相关性的影响;5种样本布局方式中,采用分层随机抽样方式外推冬小麦面积总体的平均相对误差、平均变异系数和均方根误差最小,分别为1.82%、3.19%和0.11×108 m2。该研究可为有空间自相关存在下的农作物面积空间抽样方案合理设计提供参考依据。     

Organic Carbon Dynamics along a Toposequence in a Peri‐urban Site

Abstract

The pattern of carbon (C) storage in soils has implications for agriculture and the environment. Dynamics of organic C, in the 0‐ to 20‐cm soil depth along a toposequence in a peri urban site in Sierra Leone, West Africa, were studied. Organic C was determined by the dry‐combustion method on the following aggregate size fractions: whole soil (<2000 µm), 250–2000 µm, 53–250 µm, and <53 µm.

Mean organic C content of whole soil ranged from 4.8% on the backslope to 9.3% on the toeslope. Organic C content of aggregate size fractions increased with decreasing aggregate size. The amount of soil and organic C present in aggregate size fractions, at all positions on the toposequence, decreased with decreasing aggregate size. In general, convex upper slopes had lower contents and amounts of organic C compared to lower concave areas. This study provided benchmark levels and patterns against which changes resulting from imminent urbanization can be measured.     

Assessing the variability of soil surface characteristics in row-cropped fields: The case of Mediterranean vineyards in Southern France

Spatial patterns of soil surface characteristics (SSC) are important factors for heterogeneity in runoff and infiltration processes in row-cropped fields. The objective of this paper is to analyse the spatial heterogeneity of SSC in the case of a vineyard in order to propose an adequate sampling strategy. A preliminary field survey was carried out to obtain a quantitative assessment of SSC. The experimental layout consisted of 3 wire-trained vine subplots with 3 different soil treatment. 60 observations per subplot were conducted using the line transect method. Their locations were determined according to a stratified sampling design conceived in accordance with the geometric structure of the vineyard system, defined by the alignment of vine rows and the direction of the main slope. The spatial heterogeneity of SSC was analysed at intra-transect and inter-transect levels using measurements of structural crust, sedimentary crust, grass and organic litter. The characterization of intra-transect heterogeneity, using join-count statistics, allowed patches of homogeneous units of attributes to be detected and hence an appropriate sampling resolution and an adequate transect length to be determined. A sampling resolution of 10 cm on a 1.25 m length transect was found to be appropriate for the observation of homogeneous units of attributes. Analysis of inter-transect heterogeneity, using non-spatial statistics, revealed considerable variability between rows and inter-rows that must be accounted for during field surveys. The role of site topography on spatial patterning of SSC attributes across the plot and the need to stratify the plot into areas with homogeneous slope were also demonstrated. Finally, the t-test procedure indicated that the minimum sample size was found to be 200 transect/ha for a minimum precision rate of 80% in the values of SSC attributes.     

Spatial variability of soil properties and wheat yields in an irrigated field

Abstract

An irrigated farmer's field at Hafizabad village in Dera Ismail Khan District of Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan was sampled at a regular grid spacing of 50x15 m from surface (15 cm) to study the spatial variability of soil properties and wheat yield. The farm measured 250x75 m. Soil samples collected were analyzed for soil pH, lime content, organic matter, mineral nitrogen (N), ammonium bicarbonate (AB)‐DTPA‐extractable phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), and soil texture. A uniformly trial on wheat with a uniform rate of 120 kg N ha^‐1, 90 kg P₂O₅ ha^‐1, and 60 kg K₂O ha^‐1 was laid out. The results showed that the soil P had the highest coefficient of variation (CV 46%) followed by organic matter (36.20%) and clay content (33.81%). Grain yield had also a considerable variation in the field (CV=31.84%). Geostatistical technique of semivariogram analysis showed that mineral N, AB‐DTPA‐extractable K, sand, silt, and clay content had the strong spatial structure. Maps of soil fertility and crop productivity of the farm was prepared using modern geostatistical technique of kriging. The farm was divided into different management zones based on these maps for fertility management.     

Effect of the spatial resolution on landscape control of soil fertility in a semiarid area

Purpose  

Most dryland ecosystems show high landscape heterogeneity that can influence soil fertility, although the underlying processes are still poorly understood. Furthermore, our understanding of the same could be affected by the scale dependency of the landscape representation. Here, we study the relationships between soil and landscape attributes at different spatial resolutions in a semiarid area, to better understand which landscape processes control soil fertility and whether such control is affected by the resolution of landscape representation.     

Permanent–soil monitoring sites for documentation of soil‐fertility development after changing from conventional to organic farming

For monitoring soil fertility after changing farm management from highly conventional to organic farming on the newly established research farm of Kassel University, two permanent–soil monitoring sites were installed in 1999. Representative locations for installing the permanent–soil monitoring sites were selected using geographical information systems (GIS), based on available data from geology, topography, soil taxation, land use, and intensive auger‐borehole records and analysis with a very high spatial resolution of data. The soils are represented by a Luvisol derived from loess and a Vertisol developed from claystone. The soil properties of the two monitoring sites measured immediately after changing to organic farming showed high contents of extractable nutrients as a result of the former intensive fertilization practice during conventional farm management. The microbial soil properties of the two monitoring sites were in the medium range of regional soils. A first evaluation of the development of soil properties was done after 5 y of monitoring. The soil organic‐matter content increased slightly after grass‐clover and after application of farmyard manure. The amounts of K and P decreased clearly at the loess site without application of farmyard manure. At the clay site, the unique application of farmyard manure led to increasing contents of extractable K and P in the top soil. The variation of soil properties increased clearly after perennial crops like grass‐clover and in years after application of farmyard manure.     

Characterization of Spatial Variability of Soil Parameters in Apple Orchards of Himalayan Region Using Geostatistical Analysis

ABSTRACT

Knowledge of spatial variability in soil properties is critical for effective nutrient management plan in crop production. Poor productivity of apple orchards in Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is due to lack of information on the variability of soil properties important for enhancing productivity in the region. The study was conducted in apple orchards with the hypothesis that spatial variability of soil properties is high due to adoption of varied management and passive soil factors. The major objectives of the study were to assess the spatial variability of soil parameters, viz. soil pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon along with plant available soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), exchangeable calcium (Ca), and exchangeable magnesium (Mg) at a regional scale through geostatistical methods. Coefficient of variation (CV) indicated that the fertility parameters varied from medium to high in heterogeneity (CV > 20%). Available N was found critical/medium in 69.6% of soil samples and might be one of the limiting nutrients for crop growth, P and K were in high, and OC in very high range. Significant correlation was found between OC with N; pH with K, Ca and Mg and EC with OC, P and K. The semivariogram parameters indicated that the spatial distribution of soil fertility parameters were inconsistent and showed strong to weak degree of spatial dependence for all parameters. The study highlighted the importance of delineation of soil fertility management zones in the apple growing region as a guide for precise and site-specific nutrient.     

红壤地区杉木人工林土壤肥力质量性状的演变

通过在江西省红壤地区主要林区的铜鼓县和德兴县选择不同林龄（1～28年）的杉木人工林样地采用随机网格法对土壤分层取样，并对土壤样品进行分析后的研究结果表明，从造林阶段到5～8年的幼林期，包括林地凋落物层、土层厚度、有机质、全N、CEC、BS、pH和速效N、P、K在内的林地主要土壤质量性状大幅度退化。随着树龄的增大，林地土壤质量性状开始缓慢恢复。但是，即使杉木人工林进入了主伐期，土壤质量性状的恢复程度仍选低于其初始水平。     

黄土高原雨养区坡面土壤水力学性质空间特征及影响因素

土壤水力学性质在建立水分运动模型及水土保持措施配置中具有重要作用。以网格采样测定了黄土高原雨养区坡面土壤水分特征曲线,拟合了Van Genuchten和Gardner模型参数,并利用经典统计和地统计方法分析了其空间分布特征及影响因子。结果表明:在黄土高原雨养区复杂的土地利用结构下,坡面表层土壤水力学性质具有明显的空间变异性,Van Genuchten模型参数n不存在空间相关情况,为纯随机变量,参数a,A,B,A·B和饱和导水率的空间变异受到系统变异和随机变异的共同作用。Gardner模型参数A和B值受到有机质含量的影响,饱和含水量、田间持水量和容重与参数A,A·B及有效孔隙度之间的相关性均达到极显著水平。比重与坡面土壤水力学性质之间的相关关系不显著。土地利用和地形因子对水分特征曲线的影响明显,在高吸力阶段,上坡位比下坡位土壤保持的水分多,农田的持水能力不如草地和林地。     

Genesis,Classification, and Management Requirements of Soils Formed in Windblown Material in the Guinea Savanna Area of Nigeria

Abstract

Eight pedons representing the major soils found within the Guinea Savanna region of northern Nigeria were studied with respect to their important morphological, physical, chemical, and other characteristics, and their suitability for sustainable agricultural production was evaluated. The most important soil characteristics observed for separating the soils into mapping units include presence or absence of petroferric contact, effective soil depth especially to hardpan layer, gravel and subsoil clay content. Dominant pedogenic processes, which influence the rate of soil development in the area, include plinthization, clay eluviation‐illuviation, iron (Fe)‐oxyhydroxide release (lateral movement and enrichment), eolian deposition, and leaching. According to the USDA system of classification, the soils (MU‐EDA) in the summit to upper slope are classified as Lithic Haplustepts, those (MU‐EDB) at the midslope are Typic Haplustepts, the MU‐EDC (lower slope soils) as Dystric Haplustepts, and the MU‐EDD (soils at the valley floors) as Oxyaquic Haplustepts. In the FAO/UNESCO system, a typical toposequence in the area consists of Dystric Cambisols (CMd) petroferric phase (MU–EDA and EDB), Dystric Cambisols (MU‐EDC), and Gleyic Cambisols (CMg) for the MU‐EDD mapping unit. The land capability and fertility capability classes of the soils were also established. The MU‐EDA, EDB, EDC, and EDD soil units were grouped into land capability class IVes, IIIes, IIs, and Vw and fertility capability class L”Rdk (6–8%), Ldehk (3–5%), Ldh, and Lgehk, respectively.