Field-specific nitrogen management for sugarcane using electrical conductivity in-situ measurements

Paper Details

Research Paper 01/04/2020
Views (287) Download (18)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Field-specific nitrogen management for sugarcane using electrical conductivity in-situ measurements

Andrea M Flores, Pearl B Sanchez, Pompe C Sta Cruz, Rodrigo B Badayos, Patrick M Rocamora
Int. J. Agron. Agri. Res.16( 4), 43-53, April 2020.
Certificate: IJAAR 2020 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the potential use of soil electrical conductivity (EC) in developing field-specific nitrogen fertilizer recommendation for sugarcane. Relationship of field EC (in-situ measurement) with other soil physico-chemical properties such as texture, cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, total N, available P and exchangeable bases including K, Ca and Mg were established. Soil samples representing the following series; Guimbalaon (Typic Hapludands), Silay (Aquic Hapludalfs), Manapla (Typic Hapludults), Pulupandan (Typic Ustipsamments), San Manuel (Typic Eutrudepts), La Castellana (Typic Humitrudepts) and Bago (Vertic Argiudolls) in La Carlota Sugar Mill District, Negros Occidental, Philippines were studied. Significant positive relationships were observed between field EC and soil pH (r=0.51*), laboratory EC (r=0.59*), CEC (r=0.74**), clay content (r=0.74**) and exchangeable Ca (r=0.79**) and Mg (r=0.86**), while negative correlation was noted between field EC and sand content (r=-0.57*). The field EC measurements in relation to other soil physico-chemical properties were used to delineate boundaries and develop different management zones presented as EC map using GIS approach. This study suggests that field-specific N fertilizer application can be managed using field EC monitoring especially in large crop production areas such as in sugarcane wherein easy and rapid soil nutrient status monitoring is needed.

VIEWS 19

Doerge T, Kitchen NR, Lund ED. 2001. Site-specific management guidelines: soil electrical conductivity mapping. Potash and Phosphate Institute Guides. Agricultural Research Service, USDA. Publication No. 114644.

Doerge T. 1999. Soil electrical conductivity mapping. Crop Insights 9(19), 1-4

Franzen DW, Kitchen NR. 2000. Developing management zones to target nitrogen applications. Potash and Phosphate Institute Guides. Agricultural Research Service, USDA. Publication No. 104225.

Golhar NP, Chaudhari PR. 2013. Level of significance of various physical and chemical parameters of soils through electrical conductivity. Journal of Chemical, Biological and Physical Sciences. C; 3(3), 2051-2057.

Heiniger RW, Mcbride RG, Clay DE. 2003. Using soil electrical conductivity to improve nutrient management. Agronomy Journal 95, 508-519.

Hopkins B, Ellsworth J. 2005. Phosphorus availability with alkaline/calcareous soil. Western Nutrient Management Conference 6, 88-93

Kitchen NR, Sudduth KA, Drummond ST. 1999. Soil electro-conductivity as a crop productivity measure for claypan soils. Journal of Production Agriculture 12, 607-617.

Lund ED, Wolcott MC, Hanson GP. 2001. Applying nitrogen site-specifically using soil electrical conductivity maps and precision agriculture technology. In Optimizing nitrogen management in food and energy production and environmental protection: Proceedings of the 2nd International Nitrogen Conference on Science and Policy. The Scientific World 1(S2), 767-776.

Meyer J, Rein P, Turner P, Matthias K. 2011. Good Management Practices Manual for the Cane Sugar Industry (Final). PGBI Sugar & Bio-Energy (Pty) Ltd 173-226.

Samarakoon UC, Weerasinghe PA, Weerakkody WAP. 2006. Effect of electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution on nutrient uptake, growth and yield of leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) In stationary culture. Tropical Agricultural Research 18, 13-21.

Schroeder BL, Wood AW, Moody PW, Bell MJ, Garside Al. 2005. Nitrogen fertilizer guidelines in perspective. Proceedings of Australian Society of Sugarcane Technologists 27, 291-304.

Wood RA, Meyer JH. 1986. Factors affecting potassium nutrition of sugarcane in South Africa. Proceedings of South African Sugar Technologist Association 60, 198-204.

Zhang R, Wienhold BJ. 2002. The effect of soil moisture on mineral nitrogen, soil electrical conductivity and pH. USDA-ARS/UNL Faculty Paper 1206.