Definição e validação de zonas homogéneas de gestão (ZHG) na vinha: Estudo de caso

Definição e validação de ZHG na vinha

Abstract

In the current context of rising costs of production factors, it is essential to optimize the management of available resources, seeking to incorporate technologies that improve knowledge about the variables involved in the agronomic production process. This study aimed to demonstrate the interest of defining and validating management zones (MZ) in a vineyard. For this purpose, two quick surveys of the experimental field were carried out with a contact sensor (“Veris 2000 XA”), to measure the soil resistivity and, from this, the soil apparent electrical conductivity (EC_a), and another carried out with a precision GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver (RTK- Real Time Kinematics) that allowed the altimetric survey. The results were subjected to geostatistical treatments that allowed the definition of three MZ with different productive potential (less, intermediate, and more productive potential). The validation of the MZ was carried out based on soil parameters (texture, pH, organic matter—OM, moisture content, phosphorous, potassium, exchange bases, and cation exchange capacity—CEC) and soil compaction measurements (cone index—CI), carried out with an electronic cone penetrometer. Statistical analysis showed that all these parameters validated the MZ defined from the EC_a and altimetric maps. This validation attests to the interest of expeditious technological tools for monitoring EC_a as a fundamental step to in implement smart agronomic decision-making processes.