Classification of similar productivity zones in the sugar cane culture using clustering of SOM component planes based on the SOM distance matrix

Abstract

A technique called component planes is commonly used to visualize variables behavior with Self Organizing Map (SOM). A methodology to clustering the component planes based on the SOM distance matrix is presented. This methodology is used in order to classify zones with similar agro-ecological conditions in the sugar cane culture. Analyzing the obtained groups it was possible to extract new knowledge about the relationship between the agro-ecological variables and productivity.