Geostatistical Analysis of Spatial Distribution and Dynamics of Dead Heart of Sugarcane Seedlings Caused by Borer

Dead heart of sugarcane is an important symptom caused by borer attack. In the present study, the spatial distribution and dynamics of dead heart of sugarcane in the field were investigated based on geostatistical analysis, and semivariograms were computed in four separate directions （0°, 45°, 90° and 135°） and fitted with various theoretical models to determine the best fitted one. The Ordinary Kriging was used to interpolate spatial data. The results revealed that the density of dead hearts of sugarcane increased in a single-peak pattern, and the degree of spatial aggregation and random variation both decreased with the increase in the density of dead heart. In addition, dead heart of sugarcane caused by borer exhibited spatial aggregation. With the increase in the density of dead heart, the degree of spatial aggregation decreased, while the correlation increased. Krig- ing interpolation indicated that the correlation between the spatial patches was weak in early seedling stage, and became strong in middle and late seedling stage.