Spatial variation of soil nutrients in a dairy farm and its implications for site-specific fertilizer application
The spatial variation of extractable (Morgan's) soil phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), pH and lime requirement (LR) in a permanent dairy farm in southeastern Ireland, was investigated using conventional statistics, geostatistics and a geographical information system (GIS) to produce nutrient maps and to provide information for site-specific fertilizer application. A total of 537 soil samples were collected based on a 30m×30m grid in the study area. Soil P was very variable, ranging from 1.3mg/l to 113.5mg/l, with an average of 6.19mg/l.