Using Moran's I and geostatistics to identify spatial patterns of soil nutrients in two different long‐term phosphorus‐application plots

• DOI: 10.1002/jpln.201000422
• Publication Date: 2011-08-03T21:23:03Z
• Authors: Weijun Fu; Keli Zhao; Chaosheng Zhang; Hubert Tunney
• Keywords: Geostatistics; Soil test; Spatial heterogeneity; Variogram; Soil series

Abstract The spatial variation of soil nutrients especially the test phosphorus (STP) in grassland soils is becoming important because use soil‐nutrients information as a basis for policies such recently EU‐introduced Nitrates Directive. Up to now, small‐scale has not been studied. main aim this study was investigate patterns two grazed plots with long‐term (38 y) P‐application experiment, order better understand and correlation among grasslands. Two small areas (one from high‐P background other medium‐P background) were selected. Soil samples (304 per area) collected based on 1 m × grid system. analyzed STP, Mg, K, pH, lime requirement (LR). results using conventional statistics, Moran's I, geostatistics, GIS. Based global I values, significant positive autocorrelations found LR both areas. Spatial clusters outliers detected local index. Clear linear‐shaped high‐high or low‐low value studied variables except K observed due usage machine spreader agricultural‐management methods past. corresponding linear further spatial‐distribution maps. Small patches revealing that it had random distribution related relatively uniform fertilizer revealed by line