Spatial distribution of soil attributes and macronutrients in banana leaves under the application of limestone

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the spatial variability of the chemical attributes of the soil and
macronutrients in leaves by means of the geostatistic analysis of a soil cultivated with banana in an area with two different methods
of applying corrective. The study was carried out in the district of Cristino Castro, Piauí, where 21 soil samples were collected at a
depth of 0.00-0.20 m from an area of incorporated limestone, and 21 samples from an area without limestone on the surface, giving
a total of 42 duly georeferenced points. The following were analysed in the soil samples: pH, OM, P, K+
, Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, H+Al; and
the sum of bases, cation exchange capacity and base saturation were calculated. The Ca2+, Mg2+, K+
and P content was determined
in leaves collected from the same locations as the soil. The results were investigated using analysis of variance, descriptive analysis
and geostatistics, and by interpretating the levels of the chemical attributes of the soil and plants. The chemical attributes and
nutrient content of the leaves showed a signifi cant variation in the study areas. The use of geostatistics allowed zones with different
patterns of behaviour to be identifi ed, which can help in the specifi c management of soil correctives and fertiliser using precision
agriculture. The spatial variability of Ca2+ in the soil was similar to the variability of the nutrient in the banana leaves.