ABSTRACT

Zone management of inputs is the most efficacious way to approach SSM. A management zone is a portion of a field that expresses a homogeneous combination of yield influencing factors for which a single rate of specific crop input is appropriate.

To determine these zones, consultants and producers can use USDA soils maps, yield maps, satellite or aerial imagery, Veris data, etc. Veris is a tool for measuring the electrical conductivity of the soil at various depths. The unit consists of six coulters, two for sending out electrical or electromagnetic pulses and four for collecting the voltage drop from the source. Two of the receiving coulters are placed close to the source coulters for collecting topsoil data and two are further away for collecting data from 1 – 3 ft deep. Electrical conductivity has long been used to identify contrasting soil properties for environmental and geologic purposes. It often correlates to soil properties affecting productivity – clay content, texture, CEC, subsoil characteristics, etc.