Soil spatial variability in small Greek apple orchards

Abstract

In the present study, the spatial variability of some soil physical and chemical properties in a 0.8 ha apple orchard were studied. Sixty soil samples were taken to a depth of 30 cm and analyzed for the following soil properties: soil texture, pH, cation exchange capacity and NO3-N, NH4-N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, B, organic matter content. Data analysis indicated that all the nutrients except N and Ca were at sufficient levels. For N and Ca, site-specific fertilization maps were produced showing the parts of the orchard that were below the fertilization threshold and needed application of fertilizers.