Spatial soil fertility variability in a homogeneously managed corn field

Insights on the variability of soil fertility in cultivated areas can contribute significantly to a rationalized use of fertilizers and soil amendments. The objective of this study was to determine the soil fertility variability through the fractionation of a commercial corn field into small management cells. The study was carried out on the farm Alto Alegre, Planaltina, GO, Brazil, on an Oxisol previously under Cerrado (savannah) in an area of 373 ha under corn in the 200312004 growing season. A polygon was outlined and divided into 80 management cells of 4 ha each. The soil was sampled at twelve points along the plot diagonal to constitute a representative composite sample within each cell. The coordinates of these points were obtained and recorded. The soil samples were analyzed for texture and soil fertility. The yield for each cell was obtained with a harvester equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) and grain yield monitor. Descriptive statistics parameters were considered in the analysis of data variability. It was carried out Pearson's simple linear correlation analysis at 5 and 1% significance level for soil fertility versus corn grain yield and altitude data. The variability was considered high for soil available phosphorus, copper and zinc concentrations; medium for soil organic matter, sulphur, calcium, and magnesium concentrations, potential acidity, sum of bases, CEC, base saturation, boron, iron as well as manganese concentration, but low for soil pH and potassium concentration. Linear correlation coefficients (LCC) were significant and positive for soil organic matter and boron content versus corn yield. However, the LCC for copper, manganese and zinc content were significant and negative. Although it is normally not possible to isolate or measure all biotic and abiotic factors that affect the yield in field scale studies, knowledge on soil fertility variability and grain yield can contribute to a rationalization of agricultural investments.