The management and planning of citrus orchards at a regional scale with GIS

Citrus growing is regarded as an important cash crop in some regions of China. A geographic information system (GIS) was used to investigate the growing conditions of citrus orchards in Chongqing, China. Digital maps on topography, land use, soil types and climate were obtained and a digital elevation model (DEM) was produced at a scale of 1:10 000 using a GIS. A total of 50 representative orchards (2032 ha) were examined and extensive investigation were carried out in the summer of 2007. Topographic characteristics of the orchards studied were determined using the DEM. About 53% of the total area covered by the orchards has slopes of 8–25° and 4.4% has slopes steeper than 35°. The orchards were dominantly on south-facing slopes (42%). About 80% of the orchards were within 200–400 m in altitude. The orchards were mainly on soil developed on purple shale and limestone (86 and 14% of the total area, respectively). About 42% of the area has soil with a pH of less than 5.5. The majority of the study area (60%) has soil with organic matter contents of 1–2%. General guidelines for sustainable citrus production are proposed based on the topography and soil properties of the citrus orchards. The result of regional planning indicates that about one-third of the total area of Chongqing is suitable for citrus growth (2.68 × 10⁶ ha). A GIS-based database management system provides a new perspective on the management and planning of citrus orchards in Chongqing.