Zonification of vineyard soils in Villanueva de Alcardete (Toledo, la Mancha, Spain) using trace elements

Abstract

A soil survey is carried out in the municipality of Villanueva de Alcardete (Toledo, Spain) in order to identify homogeneous zones for the cultivation of the vineyard.15 pits were made in representative sites and Physico-Chemical analyses and Pedologic classifications were performed. Classic information sources were also consulted, although the geochemical composition of the soils is suggested as a novel tool for zoning. 11 major elements (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Na, Mg, Mn, P, S, Si, Ti) and 27 trace elements (As, Ba, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Ga, Hf, La, Mo, Nb, Nd, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sc, Sn, Sr, Ta, Th, U, V, W, Y, Zn, Zr) were determined for each profile. Once the sources of information and the data obtained have been studied, the distribution map of the Strontium (Sr) represents quite well the different soil zones of the studied area and can it be used (with the necessary checks and corrections) to establish pools of homogeneous soil.