Spatial decision support system for zinc content in soil

Spatial decision support systems can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of decision-making about the zinc status of soil. In this paper, we present an interactive spatial decision support system (ISDSS), identifying the zinc deficiency zone(s), thus enabling the decision-maker to take appropriate measures for correcting zinc deficiencies in soil. The system can display a contour map of the required Block, District, or State of West Bengal along with information about the quantity of zinc to be added to the soil, if the available zinc is not sufficient for a particular crop. The ISDSS consists of a nonspatial database management system and corresponding spatial database, a model base management system, and a user interface. The ISDSS is developed using the scripting language EASI (Engineering Analysis and Scientific Interface) under the GIS software tool, SPANS (Spatial Analysis System). The system runs under the Microsoft Windows operating system.