Through geostatistics techniques, contour maps, were produced by interpolation using ordinary kriging, representing the spatial variability of the physical attributes; soil density [kg dm-3], soil water [g g-1] and penetration resistance [MPa] in the 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm of depth, besides the soy bean productivity [t ha-1]. Soil attributes and yield data, derived from an unaligned stratified systematic sampling scheme, subdivided in portions with localized management (CML) and without localized management (SML) for the agricultural year 1998/99. The productivity maps in general presented a similar variability standard for the distribution in the non responding area as well as in the area with different chemical treatments applied in the CML plots. Where as the physical attributes presented a similar behavior for the two methods of management. Amongst the physical attributes studied, the penetration resistance in the 0-10 cm of depth was the variable which was best correlated with the productivity.
precision agriculture; geostatistics; physical attributes; productivity; soy bean
