GIS Modeling of Site-Specific Fertilization Requirements

Abstract

Application of Geographic Informatic System (GIS) in land-planning management has been well known among researchers for over 40 years, and for site-specific fertilization, it started to be recognized in the early 90s. GIS modeling in agriculture helps to identify site-specific distribution of a certain characteristics, and by creating theme maps associated with a database, a visual display of numerical information for a certain field site can be created. Present study of GIS modeling of sustainable crop selection and optimization of fertilization used the database from AGRI-CONTO-CLEEN project and decision making support systems (DSS) based on agronomists expertise. The aim of our study was to determine and visually display soil properties, needs for liming and fertilization recommendations on two family farms (Vinogradci and Berak). The soils of two investigated farms differ significantly in soil properties as well as in needs for nutrient application. GIS modeling identified liming requirement only on Vinogradci site. The same site was characterized by more intensive fertilization requirement, indicating lower soil quality and lower suitability for agricultural production at Vinogradci site. Proposed fertilizing recommendations considered application of farm yard manure to decrees the application of mineral fertilizers and cost of fertilizers and to improve the soil quality, particularly on the Vinogradci farm. GIS modeling in sustainable crop selection and optimization of fertilization contribute to easier, faster and accurate decisions within agricultural production and helps to reduce negative impact on the environment.