A Methodology to Analyze Soil Moisture Characteristics Using GIS and Modeling Approach for Sustainable Crop Production

Abstract

This chapter introduces the importance of soil moisture to attain optimum crop production. Various soil properties that play crucial role in managing irrigation system have been discussed. In addition, the lesson presents a detailed description of the in situ techniques for measuring the moisture content of different soils. In areas where field measurement of soil moisture is a cumbersome practice, remote sensing, GIS, and modeling have been emerged as a boon. The role of all three approaches has been studied to analyze the soil moisture characteristics of particular area to select suitable crop and cropping pattern. Salinity and waterlogging are two major problems caused due to improper and unbalanced transport of water and solutes in the soil. A complete methodology has been proposed which includes data collection and measurement of various soil parameters, estimating and simulating future salinity and waterlogging conditions based on current water management practices, quantifying severity levels of saline and water-logged areas and their effect on crop production and optimum policies for managing salinity and waterlogging for better crop productivity. The proposal is an integrated approach comprises of field as well as laboratory measurements, with efficient use of GIS, simulation, and optimization techniques.