Integration of large scale fertilizing models with GIS using minimum unit

As an integral aspect of precision agriculture, scientific fertilization which aims to produce high crop yields with little fertilizer and the minimum adverse impact on the environment can not be realized without fertilizing models. Fertilizing models on a large scale carry more practical value in the process of agriculture activities. Using the concept of minimum unit that has been successfully used in other aspects of geo-sciences, this paper adopted an embedding method to integrate fertilizing models with a self-developed Geographical Information System named SMIS. The main functions and data organization of SMIS are presented. With the integrated system, model initialization can be easily performed through a graphical user interface, and model calculation and results presentation are dynamically linked with graphics and their corresponding attribute, which also carries the advantages of promptness and easy operation. The method proved successful and useful when applied to Xuxinzhuang town, an agriculture dominated town in the north part of Tongzhou district, Beijing of China. It therefore holds great potential for extension to other agriculture areas, so as to serve more local farmers in the scientific fertilization of crops. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.