Crop patterns recorded on aerial photographs of England and Wales: their type, extent and agricultural implications

Abstract

SUMMARYCrop patterns of natural origin and man-created crop marks are frequently recorded on aerialphotographs taken over England and Wales. They usually indicate subsil variation over short distances, but differences in crop growth may also be evident in relation to topsoil variability. Different kinds of crop patterns and the soils on which crop patterns and marks develop are briefly described. Soil associations in which crop patterns and marks are frequently and extensively recorded cover 25% (37664 km2) of England and Wales; in dry years, patterns and marks are extensively recorded over a further 6·5% (9884 km2). Crop patterns and marks indicate that over much of England and Wales crop growth may be impeded by properties intrinsic to the soil, which are not easily ameliorated by farmers. When siting crop experiments, care should be taken to avoid these areas of complex soil patterns.