Feasibility of annual alfalfa (Medicago scutellata) cropping in Aq-Qalla township (Golestan province) using GIS

Document Type : Scientific - Research

Authors

• Niloofar Nasrollahi
• Hossein Kazemi
• Behnam Kamkar

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Crop Production, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran

10.22067/jag.v7i3.41340

Abstract

In this study, geographical information system (GIS) and multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) were applied to feasibility of agricultural lands in Aq-Qalla township for annual alfalfa (Medicago scutellata) cultivation. For this purpose, required data and information of the study area collected during 2013, and thematic maps were provided. Kriging and IDW methods were applied to interpolation of environmental variables. The digital environmental layers overlaid and integrated in GIS media in respect to AHP weights and then zoning of lands carried out in four classes (high suitable, suitable, semi suitable and non-suitable). The results showed that 23.1% and 47/2% of this area were high suitable and suitable for alfalfa cropping, respectively. These zones had enough rainfall, suitable topography and high fertility. The semi- suitable and non- suitable regions (about 30% of area) were located in the northwest, east and south of Aq-Qalla township. In these zones, the environmental requires of annual alfalfa had not fitted to ecological variables of agricultural land. In this study, the limitation factors were including: high EC (about 30 dS/m), deficient of organic matter, K and Ca
In these zones, the environmental requires of annual alfalfa had not fitted to ecological variables of agricultural land. In this study, the limitation factors were including: high EC (about 30 dS/m), deficient of organic matter, K and Ca.

Keywords

• Land suitability
• Medicago scutellata
• Geographical information system
• Kriging

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