Innovative Agricultural Practices in Iraq Yield Promising Results

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Baghdad have conducted an experiment in the Yusufiyah region to cultivate maize during the fall agricultural season of 2022. The study aimed to assess the impact of different irrigation and fertilization treatments on water consumption and yield. The findings suggest that organic and biofertilizer treatments, combined with alternate furrow irrigation, resulted in the lowest water consumption and highest water productivity values.

Key Takeaways:

  • The experiment was conducted in the Yusufiyah region, Baghdad Governorate, Iraq, during the fall agricultural season of 2022.
  • The study used a randomized complete block design with three replications, featuring different irrigation treatments: conventional furrow irrigation, alternate partial root-zone irrigation, and fixed partial root-zone irrigation.
  • The fertilization treatments included mineral NPK fertilizer, 50% mineral fertilizer combined with biofertilizer, 50% mineral fertilizer combined with natural organic fertilizer, and 50% mineral fertilizer combined with both biofertilizer and organic fertilizer.
  • The organic and biofertilizer treatment under alternate furrow irrigation recorded the lowest water consumption at 275 mm per season, followed by the organic fertilizer + 50% mineral fertilization treatment under alternate furrow irrigation, at 310 mm per season.
  • Water productivity values were 1.73, 2.95, and 1.97 kg m ³ for conventional furrow irrigation, alternate furrow irrigation, and fixed partial root-zone irrigation, respectively.
  • The study highlights the potential of using organic and biofertilizers in combination with alternate furrow irrigation to reduce water consumption and increase water productivity in maize cultivation.

Statistics:

  • Water consumption: 275 mm per season (organic and biofertilizer treatment under alternate furrow irrigation) and 310 mm per season (organic fertilizer + 50% mineral fertilization treatment under alternate furrow irrigation).
  • Water productivity: 1.73 kg m ³ for conventional furrow irrigation, 2.95 kg m ³ for alternate furrow irrigation, and 1.97 kg m ³ for fixed partial root-zone irrigation.
  • Crop yield: The study did not report specific crop yield values, but the findings suggest that the organic and biofertilizer treatment under alternate furrow irrigation led to improved water productivity.

Sources:

  • Mesopotamia Journal of Agriculture, 2025,53(3):98-108: "Role of Management Partial Furrow Irrigation, Organic And Bio Fertilizers on Water Consumptive Use of Zea Mays L. Under Water Scarcity." Published by the College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33899/mja.2025.163388.1682.