Multi-Temporal Electrical Conductivity and NDVI Analysis for Vineyard Functional Zone Mapping

Precise soil spatial identification and characterization is crucial for optimizing vineyard management and enhancing grape quality. Various approaches exist for characterizing spatial soil variability, all aimed at zoning and identifying areas that, despite experiencing the same climate, exhibit different crop responses and therefore require differentiated management. However, the complexity of soil-plant interactions and the dynamic nature of soil properties over time necessitates the optimization of existing zoning methodologies. For instance, electrical conductivity (EC) mapping is a common technique, but relying on single-date measurements often fails to capture the full extent of spatial and temporal soil variability, even within a single growing season. Furthermore, commonly used electromagnetic induction (EMI) instruments operate at multiple frequencies to analyze different soil depths, making it challenging to directly relate these measurements to the specific soil volume explored by plant roots. Focusing on a well-defined soil depth, even if coarsely related to the root zone, would be more relevant for plant-soil interaction studies. Identifying the optimal period for characterizing soil spatial variability is therefore a key objective.