Examinando por Materia "Site-specific management"

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Assessment of soil fertility variability for maize production in highland agroecosystems of Peru
(Polish Society of Ecological Engineering (PTIE), 2026-04-01) Garcia Seguil, Erika Janina; Ccopi Trucios, Dennis; Requena Rojas, Edilson Jimmy; Sanabria Quispe, Samuel; Arias Arredondo, Alberto Gilmer; Gavino Lulo, Esthefany Irene; Azabache, Andres; Pizarro Carcausto, Samuel Edwin
Maize (Zea mays L.) is central to food, feed, and rural livelihoods, yet the yields in Peru’s highlands remain modest, underscoring the need for spatially explicit soil diagnostics. This study aimed to characterize the spatial variability of soil fertility in a highland maize production area of the southern Mantaro Valley and translate those patterns into site-specific management zones. The authors sampled the arable layer (0–30 cm) at 100 plots and analyzed pH, electrical conductivity, exchangeable acidity, texture, organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), available potassium (K), exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K), and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Laboratory data were integrated with environmental covariates using geostatistics, Random Forest, and GIS to generate high-resolution maps. Results showed uneven distributions in key attributes about 25% of the area with P deficiency, 15% with localized K shortages, and ~20% with OM < 2% while pH and CEC were comparatively stable. Random Forest achieved strong predictive performance for relatively stable properties (e.g., OM, pH, exchangeable cations), whereas mobile nutrients (available P, exchangeable K) were less predictable. The resulting products constitute the first high-resolution soil-fertility baseline for maize in the southern Mantaro Valley. The maps delineate fertilization management zones and provide a practical basis for preliminary rate recommendations that target constraints while avoiding surpluses. Future work will refine these zoned recommendations through yield-response trials, seasonal monitoring of mobile nutrients, and farmercentered decision-support tools, with the goal of improving nutrient-use efficiency, sustaining maize productivity, and reducing environmental risks across the valley.
Soil quality in olive orchards of southern Peru using a weighted soil quality index (SQIw): constraints by salinity, organic matter and sustainable management approach
(Frontiers Media S.A., 2026-02-09) Poma Chamana, Russell Hilario; Vilca Gamarra, César; Linares Escapa, Solmayra; Puma Huacani, Katherine; Carrillo, Alex; Villalta Soto, Martín J.C.; Quispe Matos, Kenyi Rolando
Introduction: Soil salinization and alkalinization in the arid zones of southern Peru pose major challenges to agricultural sustainability, particularly in the olive orchards of Bella Unión, where irrigation relies on surface and groundwater of variable quality. This study aimed to assess soil quality and its spatial variability to support site-specific management in olive (Olea europaea L.) orchards. Methods: A total of 160 composite soil samples (0–30 cm) were collected from representative olive orchards and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (ECe), organic matter (OM), available phosphorus (Pav), available potassium (Kav), texture, and calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE). The Soil Quality Index (SQIw) was calculated and combined with multivariate and geostatistical analyses to identify key soil quality indicators and characterize their spatial variability. Results: Soils showed high variability in salinity (ECe = 1.30–24.61 dS m⁻¹) and organic matter content (0.50–3.10%), while pH was relatively homogeneous (6.90–8.40). According to the SQIw, 1.26% of soils were classified as Very Poor, 44.96% as Poor, 51.49% as Acceptable, 2.28% as Good, and 0.01% as Optimal. Electrical conductivity was the main factor controlling the SQIw. Discussion: These results indicate that salinity represents a major constraint for olive growth and productivity in the study area. Despite its lower weight in the SQIw, the generally low organic matter levels suggest limitations for soil fertility, water retention, and nutrient cycling, highlighting the need for organic amendments with low electrical conductivity. Nutrient management should also account for reduced nutrient availability under alkaline–saline conditions and the widespread organic matter deficiency. This study represents the first application of SQIw in Peruvian olive orchards and demonstrates its usefulness for delineating low-quality zones, guiding fertilization and soil recovery strategies, and promoting sustainable soil management in arid agroecosystems.