Abstract only

Burning of rice (Oriza sativa) residues in combine harvested fields in the rice-wheat system of the Indo-Gangatic Plains (IGP) of South Asia, has become a widespread practice, leading to environmental degradation through emissions of trace gases and chemical compounds like CO2, CO, CH4, N2O, NOx, NMHCs and aerosols. A methodology using low and moderate resolution (MODIS & AWiFS) satellite data was developed for estimation of residue burned areas in Punjab, state of India. The study utilized thermal channels of MODIS ( Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and knowledge-based approach for classification of AWiFS (Advanced Wide Field Sensor ) data. Decision-tree classification was combined with image classification using See5 (a machine learning decision tree) to obtain higher accuracy. Estimated burned areas using AWiFS data were around 4315 km2. Among these, Amritsar (674 km2), Jalandhar(610 km2), Patiala (555 km2) and Ludhiana (490 km2) were found to be the major contributor to total rice residue burned areas followed by Firozpur, Gurdaspur, Faridkot, Kapurthala, Hosiharpur, Bhatinda and Rupnagar was the least affected (41 km2). To avoid residue burning machines such as Turbo Happy Seeder, Rotary Disk Drill and Double Disk Drill machines are suitable options for seeding directly into loose and anchored residues. These machines have been tested and performed well in the various on-stations and on- farm trails conducted by Rice Wheat Consortium (RWC) and its national partners in different parts of the Indo-Gangatic Plains. The study provided decision-makers with essential information to plan and deploy appropriate residue management technologies in the most effective manner. However, efforts are needed to improve the estimation of residue burned areas of IGP using high resolution satellite data.

Borlaug Institute for South Asia

English

0903

Jose Juan Caballero

CGUR01

CIMMYT Staff Publications Collection