Kh. M. DARWISH, A.A. Abd EL-KADER

Spatial analysis of yield and soil components in an onion field

The main objective of this study is to determine spatial variability in a dry onion fi eld in EL-Saff agricultural farming village, Giza Governorate, Egypt, and to produce a management strategy, which is based on spatial variability of yield and soil components. The onion fi eld properties were determined and given in maps. Soil samples were taken to determine properties of soil such as salt (EC), pH, available N-P-K and onion yield. Longitudinal slope was also measured. Results were used to produce maps. Most percentage of the fi eld soils was determined as sand to sandy loam textured soils and loamy sand in lower depth. Their surface is covered with many fi ne and medium gravel. The fi nal goal of the current study is to produce the application maps through delineation of the management zones. It is found that there is no much variability of salinity before harvest, except in the western part of the fi eld. However, in the northern parts of the fi eld, there is a big variability of salinity and reaching higher levels. Yield of dry onion increased by decreasing of total soluble salts. The range of research fi eld pH fi ts well with the spatial variability range provided in most study area to meet satisfactory yield. Nitrogen variable showed a pronounced tendency for local clustering of similar values, with gradual changes from areas of low to high values from south to north direction of the sampled area. Visually, there is an obvious association of available K with the salinity-related characteristics, especially after yield harvest. Contradictory, a manor relation between P and fi eld salinity conditions is existed. Yield distribution showed a pronounced tendency for local clustering. Available Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium in the fi eld refl ecting the good nutrient power supply of the studied soil as well as onion dry bulbs according to the related maps. It is evidence that fertilization with N, P and K should be applied with required technical solutions protected accumulation and leaching of nitrogen and phosphorous. The models can provide partial information to help improve soil fertility to increase the yield production. The work reports on how soil variables and crop growth (statistical and spatial models) can be used to asses the relationships between the crop yield production and soil variables and to delineate different management zones in the test area. Generally, precision farming applications require high technology but there are some opportunities such as creating yield map for crop production may apply in Egypt.

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