Impact of Field Topography and Soil Characteristics on the Productivity of Alfalfa and Rhodes Grass: RTK-GPS Survey and GIS Approach

Understanding the spatial pattern of soil chemical properties along with topologic indicators is essential for site-specific agriculture management. A study was conducted on a 50 ha field to investigate effect selected topographic indicators, including elevation (DEM), slope (SL), flow accumulation (FA) and Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) forage crop production. The samples yield data were obtained from inventory. Topographical parameters estimated use real-time kinematic global positioning system (RTK-GPS), then DEM generated. collected analyzed pH, EC, nitrogen organic carbon. Sentinel-2 images creation maps alfalfa Rhodes grass. Subsequently, basis DEM, generated elevation, FA model compared properties. Statistical analysis revealed that SL, TWI, which are associated water distribution, significantly related yields. showed medium-to-non-significant correlation productivity both (R2 = 0.586; p 0.015) grass 0.578; 0.01). significant inverse recorded between SL crops −0.591 −0.617; map majority area (37.56%) experimental occupied by medium-yield class, followed high-yield class (33.03%).