Abstract

IBARRA CASTILLO, Daniel et al. pH spatial distribution in agricultural soils of Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. Agric. Téc. Méx [online]. 2009, vol.35, n.3, pp.267-276. ISSN 0568-2517.

The objective of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of soil pH in agricultural lands in the Zapopan county, Jalisco, Mexico. In 2004, 105 geo-referenced soil samples were taken in the county from 0-60cm depths cores and analyzed for pH. The determined pH values were organized in an electronic spreadsheet to integrate a geo-referenced data base. Two spatial interpolation techniques were tested: Ordinary Kriging and Inverse Distance Weighting. By comparing the square mean error and a cross validation, Ordinary Kriging was selected for generating a raster image of soil pH. With this image and using Idrisi32 geographical information system it was possible to obtain different interpretations of soil pH spatial distribution. All the agricultural soils of Zapopan are acid; although, at different levels of intensity. A strong acidic condition was found in 61.10% of the area and moderate acidic condition in 38.90%.

Keywords : geostatistics; GIS; pH; spatial interpolation; thematic maps.

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