Use of Data Layering to Address Changes in Nitrogen Management Zone Delineation

Abstract

Use of N management zones appears to be a practical method of revealing dominant patterns of residual soil nitrate in North Dakota crop fields, where fall soil nitrate sampling is a common N management tool. Delineation of zone boundaries to date has been a largely subjective process. A weighted, classified method of delineating nitrogen management zones is presented. Soil electrical conductivity sensor measurements, aerial color photography, Landsat 7 satellite NDVI imagery, and yield maps were divided into five classes using natural break algorithms to separate data into classes. Five zones of topographic relief, and Order 1 soil surveys were also used as classes. Soil sampling was conducted in a 33-m grid in a 12.5 ha field. Areas within zones produced from classification were given residual soil nitrate values based on mean zone interior nitrate sampling. The resulting meta-data was compared with a base 33-m sampling grid nitrate analysis for the 12.5 ha field. Layers of data were also combined, classified into zones, and compared with the base grid. Combinations of layers were generally superior in correlation values, compared with individual layers.

Parent Publication

• Monitoring Science and Technology Symposium: Unifying Knowledge for Sustainability in the Western Hemisphere

Citation

Franzen, D.W.; Nanna, T. 2006. Use of Data Layering to Address Changes in Nitrogen Management Zone Delineation. In: Aguirre-Bravo, C.; Pellicane, Patrick J.; Burns, Denver P.; and Draggan, Sidney, Eds. 2006. Monitoring Science and Technology Symposium: Unifying Knowledge for Sustainability in the Western Hemisphere Proceedings RMRS-P-42CD. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 344-349