Mapping Potential Crop Management Zones within Fields: Use of Yield-map Series and Patterns of Soil Physical Properties Identified by Electromagnetic Induction Sensing

Investment in precision farming technologies can be expensive and is not expected to be cost-effective for every farm. Previous research and farm experience has shown that the amount of soil variability across a farm and within a field is of key importance for determining potential benefits from the adoption of precision farming. The research reported here evaluates the analysis of yield map sequences and electromagnetic induction (EMI) soil sensing as potentially cost-effective methods for identifying and mapping soil-determined management zones within fields. Both methods are shown to provide useful information for the provisional delineation of soil type boundaries and crop management zones, though soil examination in the field is still necessary to confirm specific soil characteristics.