Determination of Soil Properties from Electrical Measurements in Agricultural Plots, Villa de Arriaga, San Luis Potosí, Mexico

Abstract

The knowledge of agricultural soil properties is crucial for the auspicious selection of crop, irrigation and fertilization types. This study contains the results of the field and laboratory application of electrical measurements used to obtain fines content, porosity, hydraulic conductivity and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in three agricultural plots for the purpose of growing barley. The values of fines content were attained using electrical measurements in laboratory soil samples and Ryjov's algorithm, which is comparable to the calculated values from textural analyses of Bouyoucos. In agricultural plot A, an Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) profile, along with measurements of soil moisture and salinity, show high-resolution outcomes to determine soil properties, these are related to a clear image of soil thickness, as well as the identification of horizons. The Electrical Profiling (EP) survey conducted in the three plots showed higher productivity than the ERT method, resulting in soil properties maps. The plots display A-lowest, B-moderate and C-higher range of CEC values. This result conforms to crop yields per hectare and the fertility analysis carried out on each land plot, which confirms not only the effectiveness of the EP method and Ryjov's algorithm, but also their purpose for the study of agricultural soil properties.

Determination of Soil Physical Properties and Pre-Sowing Irrigation Depth from Electrical Resistivity, Moisture, and Salinity Measurements

“…The Ryjov Land 2023, 12, 877 3 of 13 theoretical model allowed CEC maps to be obtained. The behavior of the CEC in the three plots was consistent with crop yields since there was no irrigation system or fertilization activities [28].…”

“…The Ryjov theoretical model allowed CEC maps to be obtained. The behavior of the CEC in the three plots was consistent with crop yields since there was no irrigation system or fertilization activities [28]. The Ryjov theoretical model allows the estimation of soil physical properties without requiring direct measurements at the study site to calibrate results.…”