Modeling crop yield potential of Eastern Anatolia by using geographically weighted regression

Wheat is a very important cereal crop in Eastern Anatolia in terms of acreage and production. It is a staple food and plays an important role in people's livelihood. Drought often occurs in the region and it dramatically influences wheat yield. The yield also depends upon prevailing climatic conditions, rainfall, temperature and humidity. Crop-modeling studies to forecast crop yield are important not only for people now but for planning studies and precautionary measures for the future. Traditional decision support systems based on crop simulation models are normally site-specific. In order to address the effect of spatial variability of weather variables on crop production, we modeled wheat yield potential on certain climatic conditions by using Geographically Weighted Regression and Geographical Information Systems in Eastern Anatolia in Turkey.