Spatial distribution of biomass from major crops in Punjab

Spatial distribution of biomass from major crops viz. wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane, maize and oilseeds grown in Punjab were studied at block level using Geographic Information System (GIS). Total biomass production was calculated using the selected residue to product ratio. The surplus biomass was determined on the basis of status of utilization of biomass from different crops in the state. The total potential of biomass in Punjab was 46.16 million tonnes (MT) with biomass intensity ranging between 5.91 t/ha to 15.31 t/ha. it was found that out of total biomass potential about 64.17% of biomass (29.63 MT) was surplus with biomass intensity ranging between 3.38 t/ha to 10.34 t/ha for utilization. The major contribution of surplus biomass was from rice straw (61.92%) followed by wheat straw (33.58%) and cotton sticks (2.38%). The study estimated that maximum production of surplus biomass was in Sangrur, Barnala, Faridkot, Moga, Ludhiana and Patiala districts.