Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine

Justification for the delineation of field productivity zones based on long-term monitoring of maize yield and satellite data

Lesia Harbar, Bohdan Vaskivskyi
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Abstract

The article presents the results of a long-term analysis of the spatial heterogeneity of maize (Zea mays L.) yield in a production field with an area of 448 hectares located in the transition zone between Polissia and the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. The study was conducted using yield maps from 2019-2020 and 2023-2024 with the aim of assessing the stability of within-field productivity zones and establishing their relationship with satellite data. The spatial structure of productivity was analysed by aggregating yield monitor data into a regular 20 × 20 m grid, followed by classification into three productivity zones. To confirm the agroecological basis of the zones, long-term NDVI composites (Sentinel-2) and maps of soil surface brightness were used. It was found that the spatial boundaries of low, medium, and high productivity zones remained consistent throughout the entire study period, despite interannual fluctuations in the average yield level. The long-term mean values were 6.2 t/ha in the low, 9.5 t/ha in the medium, and 12.3 t/ha in the high productivity zone. The coefficient of variation of zone areas did not exceed 11.6%, indicating their high spatial and temporal stability. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between the long-term productivity map and the long-term average NDVI (r = 0.86-0.94), as well as a stable inverse relationship with soil brightness indicators (r = -0.79 to -0.87). High values of the coefficient of determination (R² = 0.74-0.88) confirm that the main share of spatial yield variation is driven by persistent soil and landscape factors. The obtained results demonstrate the feasibility of using long-term yield maps in combination with satellite indices for the delineation of stable field productivity zones. This approach provides a scientific basis for the implementation of precision agriculture technologies and spatially differentiated management of agricultural resources

Keywords

Zea mays L.; spatial heterogeneity of the field; soil brightness; long-term yield maps; coefficient of determination; precision agriculture; management zones

Suggested citation
Harbar, L., & Vaskivskyi, B. (2026). Justification for the delineation of field productivity zones based on long-term monitoring of maize yield and satellite data. Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, 22(2),51-64. https://doi.org/10.31548/dopovidi/2.2026.51
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