Management zones for subsoiling of a sugarcane field

Soil compaction influences all stages of crop growth, but in many low yield sugarcane fields critical levels and effects of soil compaction are ignored. Therefore, identifying localization and intensity of compaction are very relevant for descompactation of soil. In this context, this study aimed to apply three criteria for delineating zones for soil compaction management: soil layer where first appear values of soil penetration resistance considered critical for sugarcane growth; cone index for 0-40 cm layer, and depth of occurrence of maximum soil penetration resistance. Sampling was carried out in a grid with 113 points spaced at 100 m, georeferenced by means of a Global Positioning System receiver. Soil penetration resistance in eight layers of 5 cm depth, cone index and depth of occurrence of maximum penetration resistance were determined from data gathered by an automatic measuring penetrometer. Estimative of non-sampled values were obtained by means of kriging interpolation, which allowed drawing of contour maps and the definition of four regions in the field for site specific subsoiling.

Saccharum ssp.; soil penetration resistance; geostatistics; penetrometer