Spatial Variability of Durum Wheat Yield as Related to Soil Parameters in an Organic Field

Abstract

The yield in organic farming is generally much lower than its potential, which is due to its specificity. The objective of the present study was to quantify the yield spatial variation of wheat and relate it to soil parameters in an organic farm located in the north of the Negev Desert. Soil samples were gathered in a triangular grid at three time intervals. Yields were measured at 73 georeferenced points before the actual harvest. Several thematic maps of soil and yield parameters were produced using geographic information system and geostatistical methods. The strongest spatial correlation was found in the weight of 1000 grains and the weakest was in carbon flow. Temporal relationships were found between soil nitrate concentration, soil water content, and leaf area index. Wheat yield varied from 1.11 to 2.84 Mg ha⁻¹ and this remarkable variation indicates that the spatial analysis of soil and yield parameters is significant in organic agriculture.

Keywords:

• Geostatistics
• organic agriculture
• precision agriculture
• site-specific analysis
• soil management
• wheat
• yield