Recognition the potential of agro-climatic classification in areas ofKhuzestan province for planting horticultural crops

Recognition the climatic potential of the regions for planting the horticultural crops is the first step in agricultural planning. In order to achieve this goal, one of the most important tools is to use agro-climatic classification methods. In this research, the Papadakis classification method was used which has a high level of accuracy due to the presence of 440 climatic subgroups and the emphasis on ecological characteristics. Initially, 10 synoptic weather stations were selected with a common statistical period of 23 years (1994-2016) due to the continuity of statistical data. It should be mentioned that each weather station was represented the climate condition of each city and the stations were classified according to the climatic indices of the Papadakis method. The results of the study showed that three stations namely Abadan, Bostan and Mahshahr port had a hot sub-tropical climate which is highly suitable for planting tropical crops. In addition, Aghajari, Ahvaz, Behbahan and Ramhormoz regions, due to the sub-tropical semi-arid Mediterranean climate, and also in Izeh, Safi Abad and Masjed Soleiman regions because of the sub-tropical semi-arid Mediterranean climate, are suitable for planting various types of cold season temperate fruits, citrus and early and late season vegetables.