Geo-spatial analysis for assessment of agro-ecological suitability of alternate crops in Indian Punjab
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53550/Keywords:
Agro-ecological zone, Alternate crops, Crop diversification, Indian Punjab, Remote sensing and GISAbstract
Crop intensification with the dominance of high energy input intensive rice–wheat mono-cropping system in Indian Punjab from early 1970's has led to over-exploitation of the agro-physical resources (soil and environmental health, ground water resources, ecosystem functioning and pollution etc.). It is now ecological compulsion to adopt suitable alternate land use practices including location specific crop area diversification. We made an attempt to delineate the state of Punjab into various agro-climatic and agro-ecological spatial zones (AEZ) using integrated approach of remote sensing (RS) derived agro-physical inputs (NDVI based biomass zones, existing cropping pattern and crop rotations), geospatial information (thermal zone, rainfall zone, length of growing period (LGP), soil texture, ground water etc.) and field observations. Based on standard criteria, integration and subsequent logical classification of these themes, the state of Punjab was divided into 7 major AEZ and 46 homogenous AEZ sub-zones. Considering the agro-ecological conditions of each zone, we suggested location specific suitable alternate crop/husbandry plan with due consideration to existing input resources like thermal and LGP requirements of different crops, biomass production potential, soil health problems (salt affected, water logging and water table status) etc. We also suggested potential areas for adoption of agro-forestry and horticulture based landuse systems in order to arrest the deterioration of forest cover and soil-environmental health of the state.
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