Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment 6 (2017) 39–45

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Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/rsase

Spectral classification of soils: A case study of Brazilian flooded soils MARK

Marcelo Luiz Chicatia, , Marcos Rafael Nannib, Everson Cezarb, Roney Berti de Oliveiraa, Mônica
Sacioto Chicatib
a
Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Technology Center, Civil Engineering Department, Colombo Avenue 5790 University Garden, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
b
Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Agrarian Sciences Center, Agronomy Department, Colombo Avenue 5790 University Garden, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Keywords: Studies on the spectral behavior of Brazilian soils and their possible applicability to increase productive efficiencies are still
Spectral reflectance scarce, mainly for paddy soils, present in a small part of the territory and yet very important for agricultural production in the
Soil classification country. The objective of work was to obtain parameters for classification of paddy soils using spectral data obtained by
Floodplains
diffuse spectroradiometry. The surface and subsurface soil samples were collected by using a 90 m 2 sampling grid with
equidistant points. Spectral analysis was performed in a laboratory by using a spectroradiometer with 1 nm resolution at 350–
1100 nm and 2 nm resolution at 1100–2500 nm. The evaluation of spectral curves was performed on the basis of four different
procedures. The statistical analysis was performed by using the procedures STEPDISC, STEPWISE, and DISCRIM of
Statistical Analysis System (SAS) software. The results show that soil discriminations by the spectral data obtained in the
laboratory were successful. However, the model that tests the procedure for soil discrimination has low accuracy of 47.79%
when compared with other methods.

1. Introduction
In Brazil, studies on the spectral behavior of soils and their possible
applicability to increase productive efficiencies are scarce. Floodable areas
usually have its soil formed by sedimentary materials. However, there are
cases where the presence of unexpected soil classes may occur, that is, not
formed by this type of material, which suggests a special type of management
for the treatment of crops. Moreover, the available studies lack information on
its application to different environmental conditions such as agricultural crops
(Chicati et al., 2008).
For paddy soils, this gap is even greater because work related to this topic
(Demattê et al., 2004; Nanni et al., 2004; Fiorio and Demattê, 2009; Genú and
Demattê, 2010) addresses and differentiated specific environmental
conditions. The conditions of formation, preparation, and management of
these soils in regions with water excess show highly similar behavior and
characteristics. However, no studies exist that concretely represent the best
way to perform an environmental design of these soils to determine which
classes are more frequent in these regions, their geographical distribution, and
the best mode of operation when possible (Chicati, 2007).
In this sense, the techniques of diffuse spectroradiometry are presented as
a method of obtaining reliable results (Shepherd and Walsh, 2002) because
the management of soil properties is non-
destructive and can be applied in studies of short or medium term (Udelhoven
et al., 2003; Viscarra-Rossel et al., 2006) such as mappings made using
geostatistical techniques or even based on hyperspectral sensors. The choice
for spectroscopy technique can have to further advantages compared to
laboratory or field proximal spectroscopic approaches such as providing
spatially continuous information with a high density (Franceschini et al.,
2015; Nocita et al., 2015) or even in areas where pedological surveys are not
available (Arruda et al., 2016). In addition, such techniques provide new
methods of floodplain surveying and mapping as well as other works has also
looked for new forms of research in tropical soils (Demattê et al., 2016).
Other advances in digital soil mapping like digital spatial data (DEM, orbital
images), the computer power to process large data or the progress of GIS
tools are attracting new soil scientists by the spatial analyses of soils
(Minasny and McBratney, 2016).
Based on spectral processes and methodologies available for re-search,
this work was developed on the hypothesis that it is possible to classify soils
and determine their attributes in wetlands by using diffuse reflectance
spectroscopy. Thus, the objective of this work was to obtain guidelines for
paddy soil classification by using spectral data acquired by diffuse
spectroradiometry.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: mlchicati@hotmail.com (M.L. Chicati).

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rsase.2017.04.002
Received 22 August 2016; Received in revised form 21 November 2016; Accepted 16 April 2017
Available online 18 April 2017
2352-9385/ © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
M.L. Chicati et al.
2. Material and methods
2.1. Study area
The study area is located in the northwestern state of Paraná, Brazil, and
is included in the Federal Environmental Protection Area (EPA) of the Islands
and Floodplain of the Paraná River established on September 30, 1997. The
pilot area was delimited by the UTM coordinates in the meridian 51° WG,
238–252 km and 7428–7438 km from Ecuador, with a total area of 59.5 km2.
The geology of this area lies in the “Unidade Rio Paraná” and is highly
asymmetric in shape with a thickness ranging from 5 m to 6 m in the portion
corresponding to the floodplain. Three facies associations make up these
deposits: 1) well-graded sandy gravel, 2) stratified sand and pebbles, and 3)
sandy mud. Inside “Unidade Rio Paraná,” the study region is close to the Ivaí
River. The basalts of Serra Geral Formation, sandstones of the Caiuá
Formation, and sediments of the Paraná Sedimentary Basin (Barros, 2006) are
distributed over three distinct sections of the river.
2.2. Soil sampling
A soil sampling grid was defined in the field by photointerpretation with
the aid of a stereoscope mirror according to methodology described by Nanni
and Rocha (1997). Panchromatic vertical aerial photographs from 1996 at
1:50.000 scale were used to define the physiographic units. In addition,
observations of Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) 223/076 and
224/076 point orbits of the year 2001 were used for better characterization of
land use, according to EMBRAPA (EMBRAPA, Regulatory procedures for
pedological surveys EMBRAPA-SPI, Rio de Janeiro, 1996).
After defining the grid, sampling was conducted to collect data in the field
by using Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine the locations of
points. The description, material collection, and fieldwork method followed
the criteria established by Lemos and Santos (2005). A Dutch-type borer was
used to collect 72 samples in the field at a density of about one collection
point every 90 m 2. Soil samples of surface and subsurface horizons were
collected from each point.
2.3. Soil chemical and physical properties
The samples were sent to a laboratory for soil analysis, where they were
air dried and sifted to 2 mm. The hydrometer method (Camargo et al., 1986)
was used to determine the levels of total sand, silt, and clay. The content of
organic matter (OM) was determined by the organic carbon determination
process, where the organic matter oxidation was carried out in a sulfuric
environment; active and effective acidity was released by reaction in buffered
solution of HCl; pH was obtained by measuring the electronic potential with
electrode com-bined immersed in suspension soil:liquid; for determination of
cation exchange capacity (CEC) and exchangeable bases (calcium,
magnesium, potassium; S) the adsorbed cations were removed by saline
solutions of ammonium, calcium, barium and solutions of dilute acids and
later determined by volumetric, emission or atomic absorption methods; base
saturation (V%); and aluminum saturation (m%); all determina-tions were
determined by using methods recommended by EMBRAPA, Manual methods
of soil analysis EMBRAPA-SPI, Rio de Janeiro (1997). In addition, the soil
textural groups were defined according to EMBRAPA (EMBRAPA, Brazilian
system for soil classification EMBRAPA-SPI, Rio de Janeiro, 2006).
2.4. Soil spectral analysis
For the spectral analysis, subsamples of all sampling points were
separated into surface and subsurface horizons totaling 144 samples. The
samples were placed in Petri dishes 9 cm in diameter and were sent
40
Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment 6 (2017) 39–45
for radiometric spectrum analysis ranging from 350 to 2500 nm.
The procedure for collecting radiometric data was conducted in an
environment properly prepared for spectral readings, where the samples were
subjected to evaluation by a Fieldspec Pro spectro-radiometer with spectral
resolutions of 1 nm between 350 mn and 1100 nm and 2 nm between 1100
nm and 2500 nm. In this step, the radiance from the target was compared with
a reference board of standard white Lambertian reflection maxima.
The geometry of data acquisition (Fiorio and Demattê, 2009) included
white standard reflectance calibrated at 100% in a 25° field of view 7 cm in
height above the sample in the vertical direction. The light source had an
inclination of 62° from the ground and 72 cm in distance between source and
target. A halogen lamp of 600 W with a parabolic reflector and collimated
beam was used for 220 v regulated output at 110 ± 0.5 v nominal voltage and
5.2 a. This lamp was not used as a source of stabilizing high-precision input.
The procedure for determining the geometry of data collection followed
Demattê et al. (2004) using a Spectralon white plate as reference.
2.5. Preparation of data for statistical evaluation
The first procedure for composing the basic data sheet used for further
analysis was the selection of bands according to methodology employed by
Nanni and Demattê (2006). As shown in Fig. 1, average intervals located
among different wavelength points between 350 nm and 2500 nm or at any
single point were used for spectrum analysis, as demonstrated by Henderson
et al. (1992), Madeira Netto, (1996), and Demattê and Garcia (1999).
The second evaluation procedure of spectral data was performed by
calculating the difference in the values of reflectance factor centered on lower
inflection points (absorption bands) and the next point with a wider scope,
also known as the crest. These intervals were identified by Nanni and Demattê
(2006) as Reflectance Inflection Difference (RID). In the present study, we
obtained 12 representative values for the spectral curves.
For the analysis of spectral band lengths and RID, two procedures were
performed to obtain guidelines to better explain the behavioral differences
among the curves of the different soils studied (Chicati, 2011). The first
method was to obtain the tangent value of the angle formed by the initial
point of the spectral curve and its point of maximum reflection (Fig. 2(a)).
The second method considered the area formed by two distinct points of
inflection in the spectral curve, the inflection of water at 1900 nm (A1) and the
inflection of kaolinite at 2265 nm (A2), which was common to all samples
analyzed in this study (Fig. 2(b)).
These two methods were used as an attempt to generate new parameters
for sample separation since they are conditions that vary across all samples
and can demonstrate points in common for similar data. This area was
determined with the aid of a tablet and SPRING software for calculation.
Each spectral curve was plotted on paper and properly defined each peak
point in succession. SPRING is a free GIS
Fig. 1. Bands (22) made more representative set for the soil spectral analysis.
M.L. Chicati et al. Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment 6 (2017) 39–45

the SAS system randomly selected the components for discriminant analysis
(80%) and those used for testing the model (20%). This procedure was
repeated 50 times, as reported by Nanni et al. (2004)). After simulation, a
report was issued that contains the tables generated by the chi-square analysis
of partial and global error analysis.
This methodology of spectral data statistical evaluation has also been the
target of several other articles. Each research has its specific objectives,
however, the evaluation of data generally leads to a common reason that can
be observed in some papers exposed in Table 1, which evaluate with diverse
sensors and varied exposure conditions, sets of elements similar to soil
studies.
A fluxogram describing the entire methodological process for obtaining
the information can be seen in Fig. 3.

3. Results and discussion

3.1. Spectral characterization of the paddy soils

The distribution of soil classes in the study area showed a predominance

Fig. 2. (a) Methodology for obtaining a reference tangent (tg=c. opposite/adjacent c); (b)
Methodology for determining the sites used in discriminant soil analysis.
software and was used for its accuracy in working with spatial data, including
area measurement.
The main data spreadsheet was then produced on the basis of the 22 bands
selected, the 12 pitches (RID) chosen by the reflectance factor, the tangent
value of the angle calculated for each spectral curve, and the value of the two
areas analyzed and calculated in the inflections of main curves, beyond the
physical and chemical properties obtained for each point sampled in the study
area. Each of these variables included both surface and subsurface soil
horizons.
of young soils with relatively recent formation, con-sidering the local
geomorphology and the absence of advanced weath-ering processes. No
aquatic conditions were observed in the studied soils, since these underwent
variations of the water table only in sporadic periods.
Table 2 gives the physical and chemical soil characteristics of this area,
corresponding to seven classes (Soil Survey Staff, 2014).
Paleudults (PL) was present in the largest portion of the ground and
exhibited apparent hidromorphism along the profile, which character-ized
mainly by grayish color. The spectral curves (Fig. 4) of this class revealed
low action of organic matter (47.74 g kg−1), the presence of characteristic
features of secondary minerals, and low activity of iron oxides. These features
are in contrast to that observed by Nanni et al. (2004).

Typic Quartzipsamments (TQ) and Fluvents (FL) exhibited redox-

2.6. Statistical analysis
To establish upper and representativeness variables for the model, we
used the STEPDISC Statistical Analysis System (SAS) procedure. To avoid
any bias in the analysis, were used the procedure for evaluating collinearity of
variables through the STEPWISE SAS function.
The most significant variables were defined, and the DISCRIM SAS
procedure was used to calculate the level of participation of each variable in
the prediction of soil classes. Thus, the model of soil classification was
generated. Its evaluation was based on the reclassi-fication of observations
used for generation.
To evaluate the discriminant analysis, a simulation was performed in
which 80% of the sampled points were used to generate a discriminant model
that would be tested by the remaining 20% of the data (Nanni et al., 2004).
The choice of proportions was random, i.e.,
imorphic behavior with a low activity spectrum of iron oxides at 30.72 g kg−1
and 24.08 of Fe2O3, respectively, and low albedo, even at sand levels greater
than 65%. Spectral curves of types 1 and 2 were observed in these classes, as
defined by Stoner and Baumgardner (1981), with slight alterations caused by
activity of organic matter, which has the characteristic of absorbing greater
energy and conse-quently decreasing the reflectance factor of the targets.
Plinthaquox (PX), typical of the lowland regions, showed remark-able
influence of iron oxides caused by the spectral content of 33.97 g kg−1 of
Fe2O3. Low spectral albedo curves owing to 26.97% clay caused by activity
of secondary minerals were also observed.
The classes Oxisols (OX), Histosols (HI), and Inceptisols (IC), with
different behaviors, corresponded to smaller portions of the study area less
representative of the overall amount of land. Owing to the low number of
individuals, these classes had higher rates of error regarding

Table 1
Papers using spectral analyzes to characterize soil classes or soil attributes using different sensors and exposure conditions.

Soil Study Samples Sensors Conditions R2 (%) Paper

a b
Classification 370 - IRIS , TM Field and Laboratory 89,4 Nanni et al., 2004 (Nanni et al., 2004)
Sand 948 - IRISa, TMb Field and Laboratory 84 Fiorio and Demattê, 2009 (Fiorio and Demattê, 2009)
Clay 957 - ASD FieldSpecc Laboratory 75 Demattê et al., 2015 (Demattê et al., 2015)
Carbonates 145 - POSd, AISA-ESe Field 98 Zelikman and Carmina, 2013 (Zelikman and Carmina, 2013)
Sand 144 - ASD FieldSpecc Field and Laboratory 90 Chicati et al., 2016 (Chicati et al., 2016)
CEC 480 - MPAf Laboratory 90 Waruru et al., 2014 (Waruru et al., 2014)
Sand 184 - IRISa, TMb Field and Laboratory 82,2 Nanni and Demattê, 2006 (Nanni and Demattê, 2006)

a
Infra-Red Intelligent Spectroradiometer.
b
Thematic Mapper (Landsat5).
c
ASD Fieldspec 3 Jr Spectroradiometer.
d
Penetrating Optical Sensor.
e
AISA-ES image spectrometer.
f
Multi-Purpose Analyzer.

41
M.L. Chicati et al.
Fig. 3. Fluxogram of sequence work: Incorporation of field and laboratory data, editing and evaluation of results obtained.
the estimation of spectral attributes, that is, a smaller set of individuals
capable of providing spectral information to compose a library makes its
identification more difficult by the statistical prediction process.
3.2. Discriminant analysis by spectral data
Through the STEPDISC procedure, five variables were selected that
showed greater relevance within the 5% coefficient of significance established
for the system, as shown in Table 3.
The homogeneity observed in the spectral analysis was evident from the
definition of most representative variables because several factors contributed
to the low differentiation of field samples. Examples include the condition of
constant humidity in which the study area was subjected, as described by
Chicati (2007), and the common combination of materials originating in the
soil, as reported by
42
Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment 6 (2017) 39–45
Stevaux (1994).
After the variables and soil classes were defined, regression analysis of
spectral data was performed in the laboratory following the procedure of
Nanni et al. (2004). This calculation determined the discriminant equations
for the different soil types. The equations are presented in Table 4.
These equations enable the use of spectral data to determine the soil
classification. For this purpose, the values obtained by spectral readings of the
samples need to be separated under the appropriate spectral bands established
in this study so they can be introduced into the equations (Nanni and Demattê,
2006). Thus, by using the spectral data obtained by spectroradiometric
readings of the soil samples in all of the equations listed in Table 3,
identification of the soil class by the highest value is possible, as proposed by
Nanni et al. (2004) and Demattê et al. (2004).
M.L. Chicati et al. Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment 6 (2017) 39–45

Table 2
Physical and chemical characteristics of the layer 0–20 cm of 7 soil classes (Soil Survey Staff, 2014).

Classes Clay Silt Sand OMh Fe2O3 Si CECj Tk Vl Mm

−1 −3
g kg cmolc dm %

PXa 269,74 220,32 509,94 23,25 33,97 3,96 11,03 48,66 33,69 28,61
OXb 202,50 85,00 712,50 19,69 36,36 2,31 8,33 80,30 27,76 37,64
HIc 381,67 188,33 430,00 67,80 32,31 6,73 30,91 140,92 21,97 32,85
PLd 423,33 157,50 419,17 47,74 41,89 9,54 31,69 109,15 28,35 36,94
TQe 281,67 95,00 656,67 17,38 30,72 1,91 7,22 64,61 24,18 40,99
FLf 189,17 103,33 707,50 10,55 24,08 2,40 8,27 49,01 25,38 43,72
ICg 377,50 270,00 352,50 29,51 60,57 5,09 13,42 36,10 37,05 32,17

a
Plinthaquox.
b
Oxisols.
c
Histosols.
d
Paleudults.
e
Quartzipsamments.
f
Fluvents.
g
Inceptisols.
h
Organic Matter.
i
Sum of bases.
j
Cation Exchange Capacity.
k
Clay activity.
l
Base saturation.
m
Aluminum saturation.

character field that can be masked in samples subsequently processed in the

Low action of O.M. laboratory.
can be seen with high
reflectance values Thus, it was observed that individual PX classes were confused with other
classes owing to poorly defined spectral characteristics, although they were
mixed with curves of OX with similar behavior. The class of TQ presented
Characteristic features
confusion with other classes of coarser texture and the five individuals in four
of secondary minerals – classes.
inflexions of curves
The classes corresponding to 50% or greater were Inceptisols (IC), OX,
Low iron oxides activity HI, PL, and FL. Among these, HI showed the best correlation index, with
- minimal inflections
60% accuracy.
The distribution of the global error obtained in the discriminant analysis is
presented in Table 5. The values of items in the table are smaller than those
obtained by Coleman and Montgomery (1987) and Demattê et al. (2004).
Fig. 4. Spectral curves (350–2500 nm) representing the soil classes and features. However, it is also important to remember that the results of these authors
were obtained under similar conditions of soil, either with material original or
Table 3 current conditions of weathering, whereas this work was conducted under
Variables set by the SAS procedure STEPDISC to discriminate between different soil. different conditions, geological formations, and climate activity.
Bands (B) RIDa (h) Tangent (tg) Area (cv)
To evaluate the reliability of the method employed for discrimina-tion of
B9_HAb h5_HA tg_HA –d the ground within the SAS system, as required by Nanni et al. (2004), a model
B2_HBc h10_HB – – is needed that can randomly select certain individuals and test them by
a comparison with others belonging to the same dataset.
Reflectance Inflection Difference.
b
Surface layer.
Thus, 80% of individuals were randomly selected to generate the model,
c
Sub-superficial layer. which was tested by the remaining 20%. This test was repeated 50 times to
d
Absent. better characterize the system efficiency and the use of the STEPWISE
function in SAS and to eliminate the possible influence of collinearity among
This classification procedure tends to reduce the time needed to obtain the data.
guidelines that are useful in the characterization of soil, as mentioned by The model was first tested whereby all individuals that served for the
Nanni et al. (2004). However, as noted by the same author, such inferences generation of the model were also used for evaluation. The correlations found
should be limited to the same working conditions. The applicability of such a by the model had low values for the classes analyzed, compared with the
data system, however, is critically important for conducting preliminary results of Nanni et al. (2004) and Demattê et al. (2004). Among these classes,
studies of various conditions, as observed by Demattê and Garcia (1999) and Inceptisols was best, with 65.19% of correct classification; PX had the lowest
Demattê et al. (2004). percentage of success, at 30.45%.

In this respect, analysis was performed to quantify the likelihood of errors
in classification made by the system of discriminant equations.
Classes with lower rates of correct answers obtained in the discriminant
analysis were PX and TQ, with values of 33.3% and 40% respectively. For
PX, a greater likelihood of confusion was expected owing to the intrinsic
characteristics of the soil class. In particular, the existence of the plinthic
horizon is rarely identified by spectral data. This is explained because the
existence of plinthite is observable in a
This difficulty of discriminating among the classes can also be evidenced
by the overall rate of error of the model, which reached 52.21% owing to the
great homogeneity of the samples, and the conditions in which soils were
found in the field.
With the completion of the 50 model simulations in SAS, we generated
2850 results. These data are presented in Table 6.
This percentage of error can be explained by the low number of replicates
of samples in some classes, such as OX or Inceptisols with

43
M.L. Chicati et al. Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment 6 (2017) 39–45

Table 4
Discriminant equations obtained by spectral analysis of laboratory data.

Class Equation

a
PX −172,96575+185,95625 B2_HBh+1011 B9_HAi − 992,75888 h5_HA+70,70206 h10_HB+378,55184 tg_HA
OXb −200,84984+194,00283 B2_HB+2295 B9_HA−2283 h5_HA+62,51960 h10_HB+415,54321 tg_HA
HIc −162,77706+161,51684 B2_HB+1006 B9_HA−981,50440 h5_HA+67,17360 h10_HB+371,58116 tg_HA
PLd −181,09894+164,30594 B2_HB+1067 B9_HA−1020 h5_HA+69,84721 h10_HB+384,37594 tg_HA
TQe −174,71465+176,66294 B2_HB+771,51507 B9_HA−767,32638 h5_HA+108,73240 h10_HB+370,97774 tg_HA
FLf −158,65646+172,55133 B2_HB+994,35998 B9_HA−966,72907 h5_HA+64,09700 h10_HB+361,36667 tg_HA
ICg −16531557+210,32379 B2_HB+89,48038 B9_HA−920,09829 h5_HA+80,84191 h10_HB+374,62529 tg_HA

a
Plinthaquox.
b
Oxisols.
c
Histosols.
d
Paleudults.
e
Quartzipsamments.
f
Fluvents.
g
Inceptisols.
h
Sub-surface layer.
i
Surface layer.

Table 5 also showed low significance in comparison to other results, such as those
Error of discriminant analysis for classification of soils. obtained by Nanni et al. (2004).
Notably, the work of Nanni et al. (2004) and Fiorio and Demattê (2009)
IN PX OX HI PL TQ FL Totala
showed great variability. The present study employed hydro-morphic soils
Errorb 0.5000 0.6667 0.5000 0.4000 0.4815 0.6000 0.5000 0.5212 located in an environment with even greater homogene-ity. Other studies
Pc 0.1429 0.1429 0.1429 0.1429 0.1429 0.1429 0.1429 (Demattê et al., 2015; Zelikman and Carmina, 2013; Chicati et al., 2016;
a
Waruru et al., 2014) focused on the same subject of soil data acquisition also
Total value of discriminant analysis error.
b obtained promising results, although each one applied specific sensors to their
Error distribution by class.
c
Probability of participation in the same class. realities. The use of hyperspectral field sensors is now a very promising
channel of studies not only for soil surveys but also in several other areas of
Table 6 research. The work already done with these tools (Chicati et al., 2016),
Frequency of errors and correct the model generated for 80% of the samples. although still scarce, has grown and may become a reality for the vast
majority of researchers in the coming years.
Correct Frequency Percentage Cumulative Cumulative
frequency percentage
Similar to the model generated with 80% of the data, testing the
No 1488 52.21 1488 52.21 remaining 20% had low significance for the chi-square p < 0.001, compared
Yes 1362 47.79 2850 100 with the results of Nanni et al. (2004). In the second part of the evaluation, the
relationship between actual and estimated data presented r2=53%, according
to the coefficient of determination.
Table 7
Frequency of trial and error testing of the model generated with 20% of individuals.
4. Conclusions
Correct Frequency Percentage Cumulative Cumulative
frequency percentage Considering the objectives proposed in this work and in view of the
results obtained and discussed previously the following conclusions were
No 458 65.43 458 65.43
Yes 242 34.57 700 100 drawn:

1. Analysis of the spectral curves of soils led to the characterization of

four samples each. The generated model can be considered significant, classes based on various attributes. Sandy soil texture mildly affected by
according to the chi-square p < 0.001. Because no similar work has been activity of organic matter and iron oxides was pre-dominant among the
conducted, these the results can be considered satisfactory; they reached an classes.
estimated correlation of data with a 74% actual coefficient of determination. 2. The discrimination of the soil by laboratory spectral data was successful.

To test this model, we used the remaining 20% of observations, i.e., those
not used for model generation.
Worse results were obtained for the data simulated in this test. PL showed
the highest correlation values, with 50.74% accuracy of the attempts, and OX
showed zero correlation. Among the total of 700 attempts, 458 were correct,
and 242 failed to correctly classified the soils, thus accumulating a global
error of 65.43% (Table 7).
When the test was conducted with few individuals of the total employed
in the model, the analysis showed a higher accumulated error. This occurred
because under the conditions of great homogeneity of the samples, the lower
the number of individuals employed in the test resulted in a greater number of
incorrect results, as also observed by Nanni et al. (2004).
3. The model used for testing the procedure for discrimination of the soil had
low levels of accuracy relative to that reported in previous work.
However, the results were representative of the unique conditions of the
study area.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by National Council of Scientific and
Technological Development from Brazil through the CT-Hidro 141421/
2007-0 and PQ 10/2009 303989/2009-2.
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Marcelo Luiz Chicati is an adjunct professor at the Universidade Estadual de Maringá. He
received his BS and MS degrees in agronomy from the Universidade Estadual de Maringá in
2005 and 2007, respectively, and his Ph.D. degree in agronomy from the Universidade Estadual
de Maringá in 2011. He is the author of more than 25 journal papers and has written two book
chapters and one complete book. His current research interests include remote sensing,
spectroradiometry, ground penetrating radar, geopro-cessing and soil sciences.