Management Zones Delineation through Clustering Techniques Based on Soils Traits, NDVI Data, and Multiple Year Crop Yields
, Valda Rondelli 1, Roberta Martelli 1,*, Gloria Falsone 1, Flavio Lupia 2 and Lorenzo Barbanti 1Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The presented article "Setting Management Zones through Clustering Techniques Based on Soils Traits, NDVI Data and Multiple Year Crop Yields" brings an original approach to the use of geo-referenced yield mapping data for crop management purposes. The article contains a sufficiently processed literature review with the indication of relevant and current sources, the objectives of the work are specified sufficiently and clearly. In the section Material and Methodology, I would suggest characterizing the monitored area (min. And max. Temperatures, or the number of summer and winter days, precipitation, etc.), and to specify and justify the selected length of the observed period (7 years between 2005-2020 ). Equation (line 160) is not numbered. In Tables 4, 6, 9, I would suggest adding a median value. The stated acronym NDVI is not mentioned in the article even once in its entirety, it would be appropriate to break it down at least in the abstract. The results contain a rich tabular and pictorial part and are sufficiently clear and well-arranged. I would suggest adding a comparison with several authors in the discussion section.
Despite the mentioned details of a predominantly technical nature, I consider the article to be original and beneficial, and after incorporating minority comments.
Author Response
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Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The topic of the paper is not new, but still relevant and presents interesting results for small fields. The research work was planned correctly, as was the description of the methodology, results and their discussion, although there is some lack of information in some places (introduction, discussion). However, this does not detract from the value of the work. Due to the small size of the study objects, the results are of limited interpretative scope, but still of value. The manuscript was prepared correctly, but with a few editorial errors that need to be corrected. I also suggest an additional moment of reflection on a minor correction to the title of the paper, to increase the value of the manuscript and its recognisability (Setting management zones >> Management zones delineation)
Specific comments and remarks:
Line 6: no affiliation for letter b
Line 129: Supplement information on which year the soil samples were taken.
Line 160: the equation is not numbered. It is also not cited in the text.
Line 174: This probably refers to ECb, i.e. EC in water-soil paste 1:2.5. Same as line 349 and 352
Line 178: Please specify C- N analyser - type, manufacturer.
Line 543 – 552: Lines items have not been filled with content.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
