Abstract

Potential Assessment of Annual Medic Cultivation and Extension in Iran by GIS Technique

A. Ariapour
Islamic Azad University,
Iran
Email: aariapour@gmail.com

A. Torknezhad
Academic Members
Ministry of Jihad of Agriculture
Tehran
Iran

H.R. Mehrabi
Academic Members
Islamic Azad University
Brujerd Branch
Brujerd
Lorestan
Iran

F. Amiri
Academic Members
Islamic Azad University
Bushehr Branch
Bushehr

To feed the growing human population of the world,it accounts for a more efficient use of dry lands in food production. Annual medics by their potential benefits such as soil conservation, soil fertility improvement, weed control and forage production can play a significant role in providing a sustainable food security in dry and semi-dry lands in the world. Annual medics are part of the Iranian flora which 14 domestic species of them have been identified so far. In this project the potential native distribution regions of annual medics in the country were identified by using the data obtained from 50 synoptic weather stations, topography maps, vegetation cover maps, soil maps which were incorporated and analyzed by ILWIS software. The results indicated that the favorable regions (by moisture and temperature) for annual medics germination and establishment could be categorized in four groups. There are also four groups of soil classified as good, fair, poor and very poor for annual medic cultivation and development in the country. The main areas of native annual medic distribution were located in north Khuzestan, south Kohkilouye, south Chaharmahal, Boushehr, southwest and central Fars, Lorestan, Kermanshah, and south Kordestan providences. Out of the total area of 22.32 million hectares suitable for annual medic cultivation and development in the country, 9.36 million hectares (23.14%) is suitable only for spring cultivation, 5.26 million hectares (13.1%) for spring and autumn cultivation and 8.72 million hectares (21.8%) only for autumn cultivation, respectively.