Premium
Analysis of Soil Variability with Repetitive Aerial Photography
Author(s) -
Milfred C. J.,
Kiefer R. W.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1976.03615995004000040028x
Subject(s) - aerial photography , environmental science , silt , water content , soil horizon , crop , growing season , soil water , hydrology (agriculture) , agronomy , soil science , geology , remote sensing , biology , geomorphology , geotechnical engineering
Repetitive aerial photography can be used to help identify and evaluate variation within soil mapping units. An area of approximately 12 ha (30 acres) was photographed from a light plane with two 35‐mm cameras using color and color infrared film on 20 different dates from May through November 1969. This sequence of aerial photographs recorded changes in surface soil moisture patterns and documented a close correlation to patterns of differences in growth and maturation of corn ( Zea mays L.) that were visible later on during the growing season. Field investigation of soil profiles in the study area established the relationship of these patterns of surficial soil moisture and crop growth to variations in soil profile characteristics, especially depth of solum, thickness of silt mantle and soil drainage class. The yield of ear corn associated with delineated areas of crop and soil patterns ranged from 5,865 to 9,087 kg/ha. Differences in crop growth and yield were attributed to variations in the amount of available soil moisture, as influenced by soil profile characteristics and surface topography.