The application of geographic information system for potential productivity evaluation of lowland rice area in Chachoengsao province, Thailand

Date

1-1995

Abstract

The study applied the geographic Information System (GIS) to evaluate the potential productivity of lowland rice area in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.

The study adopted FAO and Soil Taxonomy Framework as the concepts for land evaluation and productivity rating. Land suitability classification and productivity evaluation of lowland rice areas were conducted using spatial and non-spatial data on soil, land use and climate from secondary data, field survey and laboratory analysis. These data were inputted, stored, analyzed and manipulated to generate the desire information with the aid of a GIS called Spatial Analysis System (SPANS). The results presented both spatial and non spatial information. Important information included land suitability map, inherent and potential productivity maps for lowland rice plantation. The SPANS GIS progressing displayed these maps in terms of geographic images with other map elements which complement the geographic maps such as title, labels, scale and the north arrow.

Land suitability map was created based on 10 land qualities recommended by the Department of Land Development of Thailand which is basically like the Land Evaluation for Rainfed Agriculture of the FAO (1983). Most of lowland rice area (28.73% of the total area) were classified under moderately suitable (S2) for lowland rice production. Inherent productivity map using FAO approach, showed similar results where about 28.73% of lowland rice area of the province were identified under class. 2. Also, potential productivity evaluation showed that all area classified under class 2 could be improved to productivity class 1 (excellent productivity) with proper inputs.

Productivity ratings based on Soil Taxonomic Framework were generally higher than the FAO approach resulting in higher predicted yields. Areas with inherent excellent productivity (class 1 ) constitute about 28.34% and could be raised to 39.32% with proper management.

The validation of GIS processing revealed that in both FAO and Soil Taxonomy approaches, the predicted inherent yields were high in relation to the actual yields obtained by the farmers with coefficient of correlation computed at 0.64 and 0.70, respectively.

It can be asserted that GIS technology provides capabilities for land evaluation a well as productivity assessment for rice production. It is not only rapidly organizing or analyzing the spatial data but is also giving greater accuracy in obtaining it. In addition, the storage of information in a GIS means that the data does not become stagnant once the task is completed but can be re-used to evaluate future or alternative development proposals.

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science

College

Graduate School (GS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Rodrigo B. Badayos

Committee Member

Henry P. Samonte, Nicanor C. Fernandez, Enrique P. Pacardo

Language

English

LC Subject

Rice--Thailand--Chachoengsao--Soils

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 996 1995 S72 W87

Notes

Doctor of Philosophy ( Soil Science)

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