Spatial analysis of irrigated carrot yield in terms of soil physical properties¹

Análise espacial da produtividade da cenoura irrigada em função das propriedades físicas do solo

ABSTRACT

Understanding soil, plant attributes, and carrot crop dynamics is vital for optimizing site-specific management practices and enhancing crop yield and soil quality. This study aimed to ascertain the dependence and spatial variability between irrigated carrot yield and soil physical attributes in a clayey Oxisol. The research took place during the 2021 growing season in a commercial carrot production area in Campos Altos, MG, Brazil. One hundred sampling points were established within the irrigated area, distributed across a square expanse of 40,000 m², positioned at the centers of 20 × 20 m grids. The study revealed high yield in the irrigated carrot crop (99.74 t ha^-1) with moderate variability. Soil attributes displayed a range of heterogeneity, ranging from low to extremely high, contingent on the variable assessed, as determined by the coefficient of variation. Among the variables exhibiting spatial dependence, particle density exhibited a minimum range of 40 m, which is recommended for further studies on irrigated carrot cultivation in a clayey Oxisol. Total soil water availability demonstrated a positive spatial correlation and proved to be the recommended variable for estimating the spatial variability of carrot crop yield.

Key words:
Daucus carota L.; precision agriculture; spatial dependence

HIGHLIGHTS:

The carrot cultivar Natuna, irrigated by center pivot, exhibits higher yield than the regional aver-age.

Soil physical attributes, such as particle density and total water availability, showed spatial de-pendence.

Total water availability was the most influential factor in estimating carrot yield spatial variability.