Yield Forecasting and Spatial Analysis of Sunflower productivity using Geographic Information System

Under changing climatic scenarios, precision agricultural practices are necessary that requires spatial relationship between land attributes and crop yield. To identify the spatial distribution of growth and achene yield of sunflower using GIS map overlay techniques, a field study was conducted at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-Pakistan. Experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block design with split plot arrangement having irrigation levels in main plots (1, 3 and 5 irrigations) and nitrogen in sub plots (90, 120 and 150 Kg N ha-1) replicated three times. GPS data of 27 data points were marked using GARMIN eTrex30. Sunflower growth and yield parameters such as total dry matter, oil contents (%), oil yield and achene yield were included in the analysis. The map overlay analysis indicated that irrigation and nitrogen levels established the cause-effect relationships and GIS technique proves helpful in identifying the crop parameters that affects sunflower yield and can be managed with the help of precision agricultural practices.