Modern patterns of spatial distribution of the main soil parameters: Case study of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia

Abstract

The territory of the Republic of Tatarstan (RT) belongs to the region with the most developed agriculture in Russia and the Middle Volga region. However, the formation of a system of accurate farming in the Republic is just beginning. To ensure precision farming, it is necessary to precisely know cropland borders, as well as the agrochemical properties of soils (pH, humus content, potassium and phosphorus content). The present study was carried out based on aerial images analyses of the most intensively used part of the RT both with identification of soil indicators for each of the fields. The availability of information on the spatial location of various cultivated crops makes it possible to assess the role of soil characteristics in these crops.