International Symposium on
Drylands Ecology and Human Security

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

A. Ariapour*, A. Torknezhad**

* Academic Members, Islamic Azad University, Brujerd Branch, Brujerd, Lorestan, Iran
e-mail:
aariapour@gmail.com

** Academic Members, Ministry of Agriculture, Tehran, Iran


Abstract

To feed the growing human population in the world accounts for a more efficient use of drylands 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.

Keywords: Annual medics- Cultivation-GIS – Distribution Regions