Spatial variability of soil phosphorus, potassium and pH: evaluation of the potential for improving vineyard fertilizer management

Abstract

For decades fertilizer management of vines and other crops was based on composite soil samples, which do not put in evidence the soil variability in terms of fertility. With the current availability of expedit equipment for soil monitoring it is possible to demonstrate the within-field variability. In this study, a quantitative analysis of soil phosphorus and potassium content as well as the pH was carried out over 2011 and 2013 in order to identify the spatial variability and temporal stability in a 80 ha vineyard field. The results show a low potential for implementing site specific management of phosphorus fertilizer, but a interesting potential for implementing site specific management of potassium fertilizer and pH correction.