Influence of landscape attributes on soil-plant inter-relationships

Topography influences soil properties and inter-relationships with plants. While precision agriculture emanates from precise use of information, consideration of landscape attributes is essential in crop management. Generalized linear model (GLM) indicated that landscape, slope classes and their interaction significantly described 36% of variability in effective soil volume (ESV). Factorial model describeda significant 15% of growth of Hevea brasiliensis contributed by these aspects. Rubber yield was in order of East > West > North > South and a significant influence of aspect, slope and their interaction (R²=0.539). ANOVA depicted highly significant effects of aspects, slope class and their interaction on soil moisture with ESV as a covariate (R² = 0.986). The impact of ESV on soil moisture was highlighted by negative correlation with gravel content (r= -0.373^**, significant at 1% level). GLM identified an equation; latex yield= 1745.3^** – 15.75 slope^** – 461.9 North aspect^** – 233.2 West aspect^* – 364.9 South aspect^** (^*indicates significance at 5% level). Slope significantly and negatively influenced yield. Slope being constant, average yield decreased by 461.9 mL due to north with reference to east (equal to 1745.3–461.9=1283.4 mL). Similarly, decrease in yield on South (by 364.9mL) and West (233.2) was also predicted. This study may form a basis for further research on microclimate and yield relationships as governed by aspect and slope to achieve precision farming.