Geographical Information System based assessment of location suitability for apple (Malus×domestica Borkh.) production
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Date
2016
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YSPU
Abstract
The present investigation entitled “Geographical Information System based assessment of location suitability for apple (Malus×domestica Borkh.) production” was carried out at different locations and altitudes in district Shimla and Kinnaur during the years 2012 - 2014. The data on weather, geological, physical, production, quality, soil and socio-economic parameters were recorded. The result revealed that the temperature decreased linearly with the corresponding increase in altitude. Rainfall was recorded significantly lower at both the locations of district Kinnaur in comparison to all the locations of district Shimla. Depending upon the climatic variations at different locations during the course of study, dates of chilling unit initiation, rest completion, end of chilling period and full bloom stages of Starking Delicious apple showed discrepancy among the locations and between the years. According to present findings all the locations in Shimla and Kinnaur fulfilled the basic chilling requirement for apple. Different altitudes showed significant positive correlation with flowering intensity, fruit set, yield,
productivity, fruit length, diameter, weight, TSS, TSS/acid ratio, sugars whereas, negative and significant association was found between altitudes and fruit acidity. Soil temperature and moisture increased with the progress in growth period and increase in altitudes. The suitability map of apple for Shimla and Kinnaur districts was obtained after running the geographically weighted regression model. The highly suitable areas includes Shimla, Kumarsain, Kalpa and Pooh blocks, where the temperature and altitudes were found to be in the exact optimum range and this area is about 211.79 sq km. In case of fairly suitable zone, there was moderate correspondence between climatic conditions and requirement of apple in these areas compared to best suitable zone. This zone includes Theog, Chopal, Jubbal, Rohru, Chirgaon and Nichar blocks with an area of 157.18 sq km. However, unsuitable zone considered as areas that are not suitable for apple because of non-compatibility between prevailing climatic requirements of apple. This zone includes Basantpur and Rampur covering an area of 47.26 sq km.
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Keywords
yields, developmental stages, grain, tolerance, rice, hybrids, food preservation, planting, genotypes, heterosis