Soil Fertility and Carbon Stock Variability for Defining Management Zones in Tropical Agricultural Systems

The definition of management zones is an essential strategy for optimizing agricultural productivity, enabling the efficient use of inputs and the minimization of environmental impacts. This study aims to identify and classify management zones in a cultivated area, considering spatial variations in soil fertility and carbon content. The methodology employed includes the analysis of spatial data through geotechnologies, combined with fuzzy logic for categorizing areas into management classes. The results indicate that lower-quality regions present distinct edaphic characteristics, being mostly composed of dystrophic Red-Yellow Argisol, which negatively affects productivity due to lower water retention capacity and poor fertility. In addition, a correlation between soil carbon content and fertility was identified, showing that areas with lower carbon stocks tend to be less productive. The application of these techniques allowed for a more precise approach to agricultural management, promoting sustainable practices that enhance productive efficiency and reduce environmental degradation.