Soil knowledge is essential for implementing appropriate management in agriculture. It is necessary to conciliate pedology with technological development to persuade the progress of soil science. This study aims to evaluate the use of remote sensing products accomplished with a geographic information system in the characterization of soils from Piracicaba region. Field inspection and data collection were performed. Subsequently, information was compiled regarding the qualitative characteristics of drainage network and topography using aerial photographs. Quantitative characteristics of elevation and slope from digital elevation model and spectral characteristics related to soil texture acquired from Landsat 7 images were considered. This methodology resulted in a database, which showed significant differences between all soils in at least one aspect. The qualitative characteristics of the drainage network differentiated soils, although it did not happen with the quantitative relief parameters. In this case, the Oxisols and Quartzipsamments showed high similarity. Moreover, there were differences between the spectral characteristics of the soils. The characteristics of altitude were the major contributors in soil differentiation. Integrated assessment of geoinformation allowed more realistic scenery of soil classes.
sensors; attributes prediction; precision agriculture
