Suitability Classes for Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) Using Soil and Climate Digital Database in Gangwon Province

As a part of establishing suitability classification for forage production, use of the national soil and climate database was attempted for Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam., IRG) in Gangwon Province. The soil data base were from Heugtoram of the National Academy of Agricultural Science, and the climate data base were from the National Center for Agro-Meteorology, respectively. Soil physical properties including soil texture, drainage, slope available depth and surface rock contents, and soil chemical properties including soil acidity and salinity, organic matter content were selected as soil factors. The crieria and weighting factors of these elements were scored. Climate factors including average daily minimum temperature, average temperature from March to May, the number of days of which average temperature was higher than 5℃ from September to December, the number of days of precipitation and its amount from October to May of the following year were selected, and criteria and weighting factors were scored. The electronic maps were developed with these scores using the national data base of soil and climate. Based on soil scores, the area of Goseong, Sogcho, Gangreung, and Samcheog in east coastal region with gentle slope were classified as the possible and/or the proper area for IRG cultivation in Gangwon Province. The lands with gentle or moderate slope of Cheolwon, Yanggu, Chuncheon, Hweongseong, Pyungchang and Jeongsun in west side slope of Taebaeg mountains were classified as the possible and/or proper area as well. Based on climate score, the east coastal area of Goseong, Sogcho, Yangyang, Gangreung and Samcheog could be classified as the possible or proper area. Most area located on west side of the Taebaeg mountains were classified as not suitable for IRG production. In scattered area in Chuncheon and Weonju, where the scores exceeded 60, the IRG cultivation should be carefully managed for good production. For better application of electronic maps.