Zoning of sugar beet cultivation in West Azarbaijan province based on cultivation and irrigation systems in GIS

For evaluation and zoning of sugar beet susceptible areas based on cultivation systems and irrigation regimes, a research has been conducted as a nested design in West Azarbaijan Province in 2017-2018. For this purpose, 11 counties have been used. In each county, based on the climate three villages have been visited, wherein three famers have been selected in random to complete the prepared questionnaires and take the samples. The measured traits from each field includes root yield, percent and yield of sugar, used water, water conservation, and water use efficiency in different cropping and irrigation systems. Geographic Information System (GIS) has been used for zoning and determining their susceptible areas. Results show that among the counties of the province, Piranshahr and Naghadeh have had the highest sugar content and yield with Piranshahr being introduced as the most susceptible counties, due to its lowest used water in modern irrigation and cultivation systems (60×40 and autumn) and highest water use efficiency in modern irrigation system and and 60 × 40 autumn cultivation systems. Based on the zoning, Piranshahr, Naghadeh, Khoy, Oshnaviyeh, Mahabad, Miandoab, and Bukan have had the most susceptible areas and Showt, Salmas, Urmia, and Shahindej have been unsuitable areas in this province for cultivation of this plant. Given the importance of water in sugar beet production, these counties, especially Showt, are not recommended for producing this plant.