Relationships among wheat yield, climate and technology variables in different agro-climatic zones of Punjab

Abstract

The impact of climate and technology variables on wheat productivity in the three agro-climatic zones of Punjab (Sub-mountainous undulating zone, Central Zone and South-west zone) was studied using classical statistics and Geogrpahic Information system (GIS). There was no significant trend in maximum temperature and rainfall during wheat growing period in all the zones of Punjab but a significant increase in yield and minimum temperature was observed. In the sub-mountainous undulating zone, wheat yield and temperature were significantly lower but rainfall was significantly higher than central and South-western zone. There was no significant difference in minimum temperature in central and South-western zone, but rainfall was significantly higher and maximum temperature was significantly lower in central zone than South-western zone. Among various parameters, minimum temperature had significant effect on wheat productivity in all the three zones, fertilizer in sub-mountainous undulating zone and irrigation in South-western zone. Spatial variability analysis indicated significant higher wheat yield in Central Plain zone than south-western zone and sub-mountainous undulating zone. The integration of wheat yield with climate parameters in GIS helped demarcate the four wheat growing regions in the state.