Methods for comparing spatial variability patterns of millet yield and soil data

This paper investigates methods to compare spatial patterns of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] yield with spatial patterns of soil variables in a farmer's 1-ha field on an undulating sand plain in Niger near ICRISAT-SC. Spatial pattern comparisons are important for precision farming applications. Methods included the correlation coefficient, linear regression, a distance measure to compare separate maps and the cross-correlation function. Millet grain yield varied from 0 to 2885 kg ha-1 on 5 by 5 m sub-plots. Pearl millet yield was correlated with measured soil variables at three different depths, elevation, and crust formation for two successive years. Only 30% of the total variation in millet dry yield was explained by regressing yield against soil variables. Detrended elevation showed a significant negative relation with yield (r = −0.421). The cation-exchange capacity (CEC) at all the depths showed a significant negative relation with yield (r of −0.238 to −0.290) because crusting and erosion increase with CEC extending to distances up to 30 to 40 m. Pattern comparison using the cross-correlogram related local hillocks in the area with high yields and local dips with low yields at a distance of 15 to 20 m. From this study, we concluded that the cross-correlogram was beneficial to compare data at various distances. Yield patterns are best explained by soil variables related to erosion as the major determinign factor in the area.