Using an Automatic Resistivity Profiler Soil Sensor On-The-Go in Precision Viticulture

Abstract

Spatial information on vineyard soil properties can be useful in precision viticulture. In this paper a combination of high resolution soil spatial information of soil electrical resistivity (ER) and ancillary topographic attributes, such as elevation and slope, were integrated to assess the spatial variability patterns of vegetative growth and yield of a commercial vineyard (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tempranillo) located in the wine-producing region of La Rioja, Spain. High resolution continuous geoelectrical mapping was accomplished by an Automatic Resistivity Profiler (ARP) on-the-go sensor with an on-board GPS system; rolling electrodes enabled ER to be measured for a depth of investigation approximately up to 0.5, 1 and 2 m. Regression analysis and cluster analysis algorithm were used to jointly process soil resistivity data, landscape attributes and grapevine variables. ER showed a structured variability that matched well with trunk circumference spatial pattern and yield. Based on resistivity and a simple terrain attribute uniform management units were delineated. Once a spatial relationship to target variables is found, the integration of point measurement with continuous soil resistivity mapping is a useful technique to identify within-plots areas of vineyard with similar status.

An overview of the recent approaches to terroir functional modelling, footprinting and zoning

“…Pioneering research by Bramley and Hamilton (2004) and Bramley (2005) not only highlighted the magnitude and extent of the spatial variability of yield in some Australian vineyards (of between 4.5 and 7.3 ha) but also emphasized the significant influence of soils in driving yield differences. The need to assess spatial variations in soil properties has driven the development and application of direct (so-called "proximal") geophysical sensing, particularly for measuring soil apparent electrical conductivity by means of either electrical resistivity surveys and/or electro-magnetic induction scans (EMI) (Lamb et al, 2005;Morari et al, 2009;Taylor et al, 2009;Trought and Bramley, 2011;Fulton et al, 2011;André et al, 2012;Martini et al, 2013; al., 2013; Priori et al, 2013a, b;Rossi et al, 2013;Brillante et al, 2014). Moreover, the need to assess spatial variation in grapevine biomass and canopy properties, or to map terroir units or to identify vines, has driven the development, acquisition and processing of remote-sensing data.…”

Geophysical Techniques for Plant, Soil, and Root Research Related to Sustainability

“…The EM and ERT methods have been largely applied in agriculture and environmental studies, from monitoring of saltwater intrusion in coastal areas to the diffusion of pollutants in groundwater; the time-dependent change of soil water content; the surveying of plant root biomass (Amato et al 2008); the analysis of water-soil-root plant interactions and many other significant applications (Werban et al 2008;Calamita et al 2012). The ARP is increasingly used in precision farming (viticulture) giving contributes for improving the management strategies aimed to improve and enhance the quality of the crop production (Rossi et al 2013a).…”

“…The spatial information collected by the ARP system is used for positioning measurements but also for computing a DEM (Digital Elevation Model) providing topographic attributes such as slope and position that facilitate the interpretation of resistivity variation and the definition of management zones (Rossi et al 2013a). …”

“…On-the-go multi-depth resistivity meter (ARP ©, Geocarta, Paris) (Rossi et al 2013a) was used to measure simultaneously at three different depths that correspond to the distance between receiving wheels (V1 ¼ 0.50 m, V2 ¼ 1 m, V3 ¼ 2 m). Data were real time referenced by DGPS.…”

Irrigation scenarios for artichokes and dry bean as a result of soil variability on the basis of resistivity mapping in southwest Italy

“…Particles size and especially the content of clay are well correlated with ER across a range of field conditions (Bitella et al, 2015). Geo-electrical techniques have been used in the last decade for assisting site-specific management based on soil variability in combination with yield and terrain attributes (Kitchen et al, 2005;Rossi et al, 2013b).…”