Characterization of Soil Resources Using Geographical Information System for Improved Crop Management

Abstract

There is a continued need for enhancing the productivity and keeping the natural resources sustainable. The biggest challenge for agriculture research and development is to suggest solutions that can best match the multiple and often-conflicting development objectives of various stakeholders, such as increased income and employment, improved natural resource quality and food security. Soil survey data and geographic information system (GIS) are important tools in land use planning and to improve crop management. Three villages, located in block Daurala, tehsil Sardhana and district Meerut of Uttar Pradesh were selected in the study. Data of crops and cropping systems were collected by survey of the individual farmers and their fields. A simulation model was applied to evaluate the effects of various conservation agriculture practices and their impact on crop yield and environment. The climatic data were recorded from the nearest weather station. The GIS maps were generated for soil properties. The maps can be used to improve and update the soil and fertilizer information for the villages and assist the planning process to provide comprehensive, accurate and visual information. The users can use these GIS maps for any future land-use planning and to improve crop management in their future agricultural research endeavors.