Agroclimatic Zoning of Sunflower in North of Urmia Lake

This research aims at studying and understanding the full capabilities of West Azerbaijan province for sunflower cultivation. Geographic information system (GIS) was used to carry out the research. Climate data elements such as the minimum temperature during the growing season (May to September)، the rainfall during the growing period، the relative humidity during growth of sunflower، were prepared in 9 stations in the region between the years (1387-1373). Slope، soil and elevation data were included to determine and identify the appropriate area of study in the range of sunflower cultivation. Using vegetative needs (favorable climatic conditions) of the crop، the production of information and data rate of each series were classified. In order to investigate the influence of each element in the earth''s climate and physical factors affecting agro-climatic planting of sunflower، the data on temperature، precipitation and relative humidity were combined and then all data elements in the earth''s climate and physical factors together were then integrated. The final map of the land capability for planting of sunflower was produced. Finally، the AHP model، and overlapped data in both weighted area of Zone 2، were used. Sunflower planting area in the north east and eastern parts of the study area (the city of Khoy، Qara Zyaaldyn، Poldasht and Shoot) was specified. The areas suitable for cultivation in both models were chosen to be the city of Qara Zyaaldyn and Poldasht.