Numerous techniques of management zone delineation have been
studied; however, few comparisons between techniques exist in the
literature. The objectives of this study were: (i) to determine how
consistently two management zone delineation techniques (a soilcolor-
based management zone [SCMZ] technique and a yield-based
management zone [YBMZ] technique) characterize regions of high,
medium, and low grain yield; and (ii) to compare the relative accuracies
with which the two management zone delineation techniques
characterize the grain yield within low, medium, and high productivity
potential management zones. This study was conducted for three site
years in northeastern Colorado. Management zones were delineated
before planting. The SCMZ technique used: (i) bare-soil imagery, (ii)
topography, and (iii) farmer’s experience. The YBMZ relied on: (i)
bare-soil imagery, (ii) soil organic matter, (iii) cation exchange capacity,
(iv) soil texture, and (v) the previous season’s yield map. Grain yields
ranged from 6.9 to 15.5 Mg ha21 across all site years. Grain yields were
significantly different between SCMZ zones for all site years. Grain
yield in the SCMZ high zones were up to 1.88 Mg ha21 higher than
YBMZhigh zones. Areal agreements for theSCMZtechniquewere 37,
41, and 45% for Site Years I, II, and III. Based on the approaches used
in this study to classify grain yield patterns, the SCMZ technique was
found to be relatively better than the YBMZ technique