Soil Resources Information System for Improving Productivity Using Geo-Informatics Technology

Abstract

Soil surveying and mapping is an important operation, since it plays a key role in the knowledge about soil nutrients, properties and how it can be used for agriculture. This study was carried out in order to map soil chemical properties and macronutrients status in North, Center and South districts zones of Gujarat state. Geographic Information System (GIS) was used in this study to present the secondary data of the soil which were obtained from Anand Agriculture University (AAU), Gujarat. The major objective of this study was to analyze & visualize the secondary data of soil through IDW, spatial interpolation techniques for suitable mapping in a selected North, Central and South districts of Gujarat state. Various maps showing spatial distribution of micronutrients and chemical properties for North, Center and South districts zones of Gujarat state were prepared. These digital maps can be used in precision farming studies with the application of fertilizers and micro-nutrients as per the requirement and the recommendations. This approach is proposed as a method for the evaluation of sustainable soil management practices such as variable rate of fertilization. This study demonstrates the usefulness of geo-informatics technology in soil survey as well as applications of various micronutrients to specific areas based on recommendations.