Evaluation of Spatial Variability of Soil Organic Carbon and Ph in an Uprooted Oil Palm Field

Defining spatial distribution patterns of soil properties within a field or watershed is important for site-specific soil and plant management and environmental modelling. The objective of this study was to determine spatial distribution patterns of organic carbon content and pH in the Plantations Section of the Department of Crops and Soil Sciences, KNUST, Kumasi. The research area, about 75 m × 40 m, was gridded with 10 m × 5 m intervals in the north to south and east to west directions, and 80 soils samples were collected from 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm depths at each intersection. Exponential semivariogram model was fitted for organic carbon in both layers. The pH in the upper layer was best fitted by Exponential model while Gaussian model was best fitted in the subsurface layer. Ordinary point Kriging analysis was performed to prepare distribution maps. Distribution patterns of soil properties studied showed great differences from each other.