Comparative analysis of rice productivity of three agroclimatic zones of Punjab

We studied the effects of climate (rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature) on rice productivity in the three agro-climatic zones of Punjab (sub-mountainous undulating zone, central plain zone and south-west zone, while considering the variables of fertilizer and irrigation. The rice yield was significantly higher in Central plain and South-western zones than Sub-mountainous undulating zone, but it significantly differed between Central and South-western zones. Maximum and minimum temperature was significantly higher in South-western zone followed by Central Plain Zone and Sub-mountainous undulating zone, but the trend was reverse for rainfall in the three zones. Among climate and technology parameters, minimum temperature had significant effect on rice yield in Sub-mountainous undulating zone and Central plain zones, fertilizer in South-western zone and irrigation in all the three zones. Spatial variability analysis indicated significantly higher rice yield in south-west and central plain zone than sub-mountainous undulating zone. The integration of rice yield with climate parameters in geographic information system (GIS) demarcated the four rice growing regions in Punjab.