Airborne hyperspectral imaging for soil nutrient variability mapping in UiTM Perlis Research Station / Prof. Madya Malek Mohd Yusoff and Prof. Dr. Kamaruzaman Jusoh

The application of Airborne Imaging Spectrometer for Different Application (AISA) is a hyperspectral sensing to improve land management. Result from airborne hyperspectral imaging provide unprecended detail in mapping soil nutrient status. Such maps may indicate to farm manager the existence of localized problems of soils, pests or fertility and quantity of the effects of those problems. The study area was undertaken to determine the status of soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) variability in the UiTM Research Station Area. The study area covers 52.4 hectare which was newly acquired. Its location is between latitude 100° 16.5' East and 100° 17.5' East, while longitude 06° 26.5' East and 06° 28' East. The study area was formerly planted with rubber approximately 70% and 15 % paddy field and the balance are waste land. The result of the analysis shows that the soil spatial variability of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) of the study area ranges between 0.098 to 0.147 % N, 10.0 to 24.2 (ppm) P, and 62 to 129 (ppm) K respectively The spatial soil variability maps analyzed implies that UiTM Research Station Area can be classified as very low in nitrogen (N), while the status of phosphorus (P) is moderate, and the potassium (K) status is in the very high range. Since the Research Station Area will be cultivated with different crops thus the soil nutrient variability maps will be a useful guide in the future planning of the manuring programe and other cultivation practices.