Complementary use of thermal imagery and spectral analysis of soil properties and wheat yields to reveal cyclic patterns in the Flevopolders

SUMMARY The Flevopolders in the north‐west of The Netherlands are located on recently reclaimed, uniform, flat alluvial soils. Strong contrasts in soil were thought to be unlikely. Yet thermal imagery of experimental fields carried out over 4 years revealed the presence of a striped pattern with a regular wavelength of 24 m. This was remarkable considering that drainage had been carried out at a 12 m spacing. Crop yields, topographic heights, tensiometer data, penetrometer readings and soil profiles also indicated the presence of a 24m ‘wave’. Investigations into the land reclamation procedures carried out 20 years ago finally revealed the cause. The implications for management are discussed.