Digital terrain model generation using GPS to support yield studies in relation with physical soil properties

摘要

Knowledge of topography and other physical soil properties such as compaction and texture may give a lot of information about cornfield yield. GPS (Global Positioning System) technology is used in many farming processes for the location of soil variations into a field, but the real positioning accuracy sampled by GPS is misconstrued and the sampling strategies are often deficient. The main goal of this study is to compare GPS-mounted approach with traditional land survey approach (thedolite) in modelling a small 10 ha cornfield, regarding of the precision and sampling strategies to adopt. In addition, the present research attempt to characterize the relation between topography, compaction and corn yield.