Land Evaluation and Application of Geographic Information Systems in the Zoning of Main Agricultural Crops in Southern Bulgaria

This paper presents data on the main ecological elements in the land of the village ofTsalapitsa, Plovdiv region - soils and climate. By applying the methodology approved inBulgaria, an agro-ecological assessment of agricultural lands was made, calculating the FieldRatings (FR) for certain crops under non-irrigated and irrigated conditions. The values of theFR indicate the suitability of the land for growing the specified crop. The Average AgronomicRating (AAR) of the lands were also calculated, which also determine the final valueclassification (grouping and categorization) under non-irrigated and irrigated conditions. Theresults obtained (without irrigated) determine 99,6 % of agricultural lands as good andmedium-good lands, respectively the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th categories. Only a small part of 0,4% is unsuitable land. When irrigation is applied, the suitability of the land and the possibilitiesfor growing certain crops change in a positive direction, so 62,5 % of agricultural lands fallinto the group of very good lands or 1st and 2nd categories, and 37,1 % are good and averagelands or 3rd and 4th categories. The final land quality classification is also harmonized withthe recommendations of the FAO. The data from the land evaluation are analyzed in a GISenvironment and are visually and spatially interpreted in the form of maps and graphs. Azoning of the most suitable crops for growing has been made - wheat from cereals, tobaccofrom technical crops, apples, peaches, plums, pears, cherries and vineyards from perennialcrops, and with mandatory irrigation - tomatoes and rice