Effects of Soil Variability on Wheat Yield in a Field with Three Types of Management

Abstract

Soil, wheat growth and yield spatial variability were observed in an experimental field receiving three types of management. Wheat variability motivated to understand if it was caused by the experimental design or by soil variability. Furthermore, to determine soil parameters influencing yield Pearson correlation, multilinear regression and partial least square analyses were applied to several combinations of datasets. The statistical methods clearly identified positive and negative effects of electrical conductivity and high C/N, respectively. Best results were obtained with datasets created according to crop performance and not to field experimental design. Therefore, when testing management practices results should be observed by plot and by different areas within respective plots. Additionally, suggestions for management were accomplished.