SELECCIÓN DE UN DISEÑO DE MUESTREO EN PARCELAS EXPERIMENTALES A PARTIR DEL ESTUDIO DE LA VARIABILIDAD ESPACIAL DE LOS SUELOS

Selecting a the sampling design in experimental plots on the basis of the study of the spatial soil variability Data obtained by using a systematic sampling in two contrasting soils in the Venezuelan central plains were used to identify the spatial soil variation and to optimize the sample design for monitoring changes induced by soil management. One of the soils was a clayey classified as a Vertisol (San Pablo); the other was a sandy soil, classified as an Entisol (La Iguana). The evaluated properties were penetration resistance, organic carbon content, available phosphorus, pH, sand, silt and clay contents. Statistical and geostatistical analyses were applied. Results indicated that the semivariograms had a range that fluctuated from 14 to 32 m in La Iguana, and from 21 to 55 m in San Pablo. The soil properties had a moderate spatial dependence and, the relative nugget effect varied from 25 to 75% for most of them. This information was useful for establishing the sampling design to evaluate the temporal changes on soil properties as a result of the soil management. Additional key words: Exploratory analysis, geostatistical analysis, soil properties, soil sampling