THEMATIC MAPS OF PRINCIPAL COMPONENTS FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES - DOI: 10.13083/1414-3984/reveng.v23n6p529-540

Abstract

The western region of Paraná is known for its intensive agricultural activity seeking high productivity. Productivity of crop cultivation areas is directly related to soil fertility, and intensive soil use gives rise to acidification and a reduction in nutrient levels, in turn limiting root development and contributing to reduced productivity. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating relationships between the following chemical soil properties: potential acidity; calcium; magnesium; potassium; soil pH; organic matter; sum of bases; total cation exchange capacity and base saturation in the layer from 0.0 (zero) to 0.2 m. Soil use in the region is intensive, with cultivation of soybeans, corn, wheat and beans. Soil sampling for parameter analysis was georeferenced (on a grid of 2 ha), and geostatistical techniques and principal component analysis were employed to identify regions of highest soil acidity and nutrient deficiency treatable by liming at different levels. The results showed the relationship between soil acidity with variable such that calcium and magnesium which indicates the need to fix these nutrients in the soil in areas with higher acidity. The maps have five classes that allow us to select sub regions in study area to field actions, being important to localized treatment in the area.