The potential of land for energy crops is determined by an evaluation of biophysical and economical variables. From this respect, climate, soil and geomorphologic environmental components are the most important agro-ecological variables to conduct this kind of evaluation. In this study, Geographic Information System (GIS) has been used to identify the most suitable areas for cardoon crop production in the Apulia region. Environmental components such as climate (precipitation, temperature), soil (chemical and physical characteristics including texture, gravel percentage, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil depth, etc.), topography (slope) were considered. Biophysical parameters (climate, geomorphology and soil) were used to draw a map of agronomic suitability of cardoon according to the “Agronomic Classification of the Territory II” (CAT II) classification system. The results for agronomic evaluation in the Apulia region showed that 5.14% (36,532 ha), 54.17% (384,796 ha), 31.57% (224,251 ha) and 9.10% (64,665 ha) of the arable land area respectively highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable and not suitable for cardoon cultivation.
GIS-BASED EVALUATION OF CARDOON (CYNARA CARDUNCULUS L. VAR. ALTILIS DC.) SUITABILITY IN APULIA REGION
DE MASTRO, Giuseppe;
2011-01-01
Abstract
The potential of land for energy crops is determined by an evaluation of biophysical and economical variables. From this respect, climate, soil and geomorphologic environmental components are the most important agro-ecological variables to conduct this kind of evaluation. In this study, Geographic Information System (GIS) has been used to identify the most suitable areas for cardoon crop production in the Apulia region. Environmental components such as climate (precipitation, temperature), soil (chemical and physical characteristics including texture, gravel percentage, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil depth, etc.), topography (slope) were considered. Biophysical parameters (climate, geomorphology and soil) were used to draw a map of agronomic suitability of cardoon according to the “Agronomic Classification of the Territory II” (CAT II) classification system. The results for agronomic evaluation in the Apulia region showed that 5.14% (36,532 ha), 54.17% (384,796 ha), 31.57% (224,251 ha) and 9.10% (64,665 ha) of the arable land area respectively highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable and not suitable for cardoon cultivation.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
