IRAQ JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

A field study was conducted in Berjesia experiment station during winter seasons of 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 in a sandy loam texture soil classified as Typic quartizpasmment . RCBD design was used with three replications. The aim of experiment was to study the effect of different levels of amino acid application and potasium on yield properties of tomato c.v. Al- Hutoof hybrid to drought, salinity stress and then on tomato fruit productivity.
The field experiment consisted of 28 treatments. The first factor was application seven levels potasium and the secondary factor was application of amino acids by spray type of amino acid mixture (Tyrosine,Proline,Arginine) with four levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg l-1 )
Results indicated significant effects of all amino acids with different levels in decreaseing the water and salinity stresses. The results showed that treatment with mixed sprayed amino acid in200 mg l-1 and Potasium increased yield parameters at34 %,25% in the early yield, 19%,%22 in average fruit weight; 15%, 20% in number of fruit and 38%, 47% in total yield comparing to treatment without amino acids and Potasium for two seasons respectely.

A factorial field experiment using RCBD in three replicates was conducted to study the interactive effect among different levels of potassium and phosphorus on cotton production in calcareous non-saline soil in Kirkuk Governorate –Dakook Township for 2011 and 2012 growing seasons.
The experiment included 4 levels of potassium (0,120,160and 200 kg K ha-1) and three levels of phosphorus (0, 60 and 80 kg P ha-1).
Results indicated that cotton responded significantly to potassium and phosphorus fertilizers applications. Application of 200 kg K ha-1 gave best result for both years with an increment of 30 % and 28 % for 2011 and 2012 respectively compared to control treatment. Yield of cotton increased with P fertilizer application with 80 kg P ha-1 giving best results .The increment in yield of cotton were 22 and 13% compared to control for 2011 and 2012 season respectively. The best interaction was with 200 kg K ha-1 + 80 kg P ha-1 giving an increment of 63 and 82% than control for 2011 and 2012 respectively. In addition, this trial revealed that interaction between P and K gave better results than applying each nutrient alone.

A field study was conducted during the winter season of 2011at the Field of Crop Science Department, Collage of Agricultural/Baghdad university, 20 km western of Baghdad, Iraq. The objectives of the study were to test the response of wheat cultivar (Triticum aestivum L.) to water treatments and K fertilization under field conditions and to estimate the water requirements and the interference with potassium fertilization on yield and quantities quantitative properties. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with three replications. Irrigation treatments were complete irrigation (C) as a control, deficit irrigation at tillering (T), elongation (E), flowering (F) and grain Maturity (M). The maximum Evaportranspiration was 411 mm under complete irrigation and decreased to 346,351,348 and 351 when deficit irrigation was applied during tillering, elongation, flowering and grain maturity respectively. A good response was observed for the potassium applied. The best rate was 83kg.ha1-(K1). This level improved growth grain yield and yield components (weight of thousands of seed and seed content of protein compared to the treatment of non-applied K0 for all irrigation treatments. On the other hand, there was no significant interference between irrigation treatments and potassium fertilization in the impact of grain yield, roots lengths and grain content of glutens, while the

Agreen house experiments were condacted to study the effect of four different levels of agricultural sulfur (zero, 1500, 3000 and 4500 )kg.Donm-1 on the soil sulfate content and on growth of two varieties of tomatos (Rakan F1and Eagen F1). Befor cultivation the soil fertilizers by (Urea46%, HighP (48%)and potas huomic) to level (25,25and 1) kg.Donm-1 The changes in soil pH was also studied .The number of the experintal units were 24 in a CRD experiment with three replicates . The experimental unit was (3 m2 )(1.5×2 m).divide into 3 rows ,the distance between rows( 1m) and the (40 cm) between plants. The sulfur stayed in soil (15) days before cultivation. The plants were irrigated by dropping till maturity (5 months).
Result indicated that significant differences were obtained in the soil sulfate contents and the control (213,216 and 212 ppm SO4 ),in comparison with only ( 122 ppm SO4) .Also significant differences were found in chlorophyll content (%),TA% and T.S.S% both varieties when the level of S was 4500 kg .Donm-1 .The verity Rakcan was superier in T.S.S. % at level 1500 kg .Donm-1 S when compared to the variety Eagen in addition to that significant effects obtained in vitamin C and TA% content for Eagen variety at 4500 kg .Donm-1 .

A study was initiated in Dujailah project (Wasit Governorate) to assess the suitability of the مand characteristics for the cultivation of Wheat and Maize,(Autumn season) and alfalfa crops according to socio-economic data of production costs and gross margins for the selected crops and climatic conditions of the study area. A soil salinity map was developed for the study area using some of the predictive models developed through the use of some standard spectral vegetative and non- vegetative indices, EM38 readings, and soil salinity values measured in lab. Land evaluation was determined for the selected crops in the study area using Sys et al., 1993 proposals. Results indicated that the lands of the study area showed a clear disparity in their suitability for the cultivation of selected crops. As the results showed, the project lands were suitable for strategic crops in varying levels, including Wheat, Maize and Alfalfa crops depending on their salinity tolerance and difference date of their planting. The study area is suitable for the cultivation of all crops Alfalfa, Wheat and Maize, respectively. The results showed that the capability of the project lands was compatible with variation levels in the degree of salinity crops tolerance. The results showed the Alfalfa crop had a higher net profit compared with the Wheat and Maize crops. Gross margin was 505.000, 404.000 and 385.000 ID/Donum for the Alfalfa, Maize and Wheat, respectively.

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of irrigation water salinity and deficit irrigation on yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) CV Akmar, for autumn season of 2011 at Zaafaraniya field/ Horticulture Directorate /south of Baghdad. Three levels of irrigation water salinity (river water 1.35 “control”, 4 and 6 dS.m-1) were used and two treatments of irrigation [© complete irrigation “control” when depletion of 50-60% of available water, and deficit irrigation (Cutting two non consecutive irrigations) during stages of vegetative growth (V), flowering (F) and maturity (M)]. Nested Block design was used for this experiment with three replicates. Drip irrigation was used to irrigate all treatments. Separate plastic water tank was used as a container for each source of saline water. Weight of 500 seed and seeds yield decreased significantly with increase of the salinity of irrigation water, while the effect of deficit irrigation and the interactions between the salinity of irrigation water and deficit irrigation weren’t significant. Increasing the salinity of irrigation water to (6 ds.m-1) tended to decrease the weight of 500 seeds and yield significantly, but these two parameters were decreased in small percent when irrigated with saline water of 4 ds.m-1. Saving percent in irrigation water used when applied deficit irrigation reached to 8.5, 13.8, and 17.8% at the stages of vegetative growth, flowering and maturity when compared with complete irrigation, respectively.

The area located at eastern part of Babylon Province / middle of Iraq in Musaiyib project was selected to study salinity distribution. Thirty sites were chosen representing the dominant land covers in the study area, and soil samples from each site were taken from the upper 30 cm to determine some soil properties. The main objective of this study is to develop some model to predict soil salinity and mapping using EM38 and field measurements.The results indicated that salinity can be predected by using the vertical reading of the EM38 and some vegetation indices. EM38 (V) shows high significant Correlation(r= 0.94) with salinity measured in laboratory.

This field experiment was carried out to study the role of mycorrhiza, organic matter, agriculture pattern for sorghum, millet in salt distribution in two different sites varied in salt levels. The obtained results of salt distribution in soil profile after harvest revealed drop in salinity values at 0-40 cm in depth as compared to initial salinity values, the drop in first site was 71.4, 70.9, 74.8% and was 59.60, 59.05 and 64.24% for the second site as compared to initial salinity levels for single agriculture pattern for sorghum (S), millet (M) and combined for both sorghum and millet (SM) respectively.
Addition of both mycorrhiza and organic matter in the first site reduced salinity at 0-20 cm in depth by 79.3, 77.9, 82.0% and reduced salinity at 20-40 cm in depth by 63.2, 59.8, 68.9%, while salinity was raised in 40-60 cm in depth to 62.5, 52.4, 74.8%, at depth 60-80 cm rated 128.3, 121.7 and 138.7%, at depth 80-100 rated 124.6, 121.8, 129.3%, and in the second site, result showed reduced in salinity of 0-20 depth by 66.9, 65.2, 70.3% and to 56.1, 54.5, 61.9% at 20-40 cm in depth, salinity raised at depth 40-60 cm by 42.2, 34.0, 44.1%, for 60-80 cm in depth by 116.3, 109.8, 121.6%, for 80-100cm in depth by 68.3, 63.6, 78.5% for agriculture pattern S, M, SM respectively.

This study conducted in the field of Agriculture College, University of Basrah, in Karmat-Ali during the spring season of 2011 on clay texture soil, to investigate. The effect of distance between emitters (15,25,35,45cm) and alternation. Between irrigation water treatment was(irrigation water of low salinity ECe =2.0–2.3 dS.m-1(F), irrigation water of high salinity ECe =7-8 dS.m-1(S), alternation high salinity water- low salinity water(SF) and trio- alternation high salinity water – high salinity water- low salinity water(SSF))by using drip irrigation system and the irrigation level in this study is 100% from EP with addition 20% as leaching requirements, on vertical and horizontal soil salinity distribution and yield corn crop(Zea mays L.) class search 106.The results explain salt concentration was increased with increase distance between emitters and with increase percentage of high salinity water in one irrigation cycle. The lowest values of salt were found under the emitters directly and increased with increase distance between emitters for all depths, and the lower of salt concentration was found in depth 15-30cm, and the higher of salt concentration was in depth 30–45 cm for all horizontal distances .In case of interactions among distance between emitters and irrigation water quality the study show in distance between emitters which have values close together and different in water quality. The plant production was reduced with increase distance between emitters and with the increase of salinity water.

In this study, six empirical equations were selected to estimated the reference evapotranspiration, that belonged to three categories, three temperature-based methods and three radiation-based methods under Thi-Qar Province conditions using meteorological data for 2012 of Nasiriya meteorological station and FAO Penman-Montaith (1998) which was used as reference equation. The evaluation and comparison were made based on both the original constant values involved in each equation and the recalibrated constant values.
The results showed that all equations had gave underestimations of ETo, A comparative study also shows that modifications were made by substituting recalibrated constant values for the original constant values had improved efficiency of the six equations to simulate the values of ETo were more accuracy than original equations.
The statistical criteria; root mean square Error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and the coefficient of residual mass (CRM) revealed that the confidence became high in modified equations due to reducing the values of these criterions. The study of regression analysis illustrated it is necessary to make changes to the original equations when they were extrapolated to other climatic areas. The modifications achieved positive change concerning the R2 and r values for the six equations, moreover the slope of the regression equations improved in the six cases. the equation modifications obtained higher values of the index of concordance (D) ranged from 0.987 for PT equation and 0.999 for BC & HS equations, For this reason, it also obtained high values of the confidence index (C) which ranged between 0.978 for M equation to 0.998 for BC & HS equations The BC equation without adjustment indicates that the best model to estimate ETo of other equations, the formulae modification of The BC equation become more able to estimate the values of the mean monthly evapotranspiration are very close to those estimated by PM.

In this paper value of reference evapotranspiration calculated from the atmometer was compared with the FAO-56, Penman – Monteith equation. Fodder Maize (Zea maize) was used in the summer agricultural seasons of 2013. Error analysis and statistical methods were used for the comparison of the daily reference evapotranspiration. It was found that for the months May, June and July 2013 the relative errors were: 6.9%, 4.24% and 5.7%, respectively which are significant. While the root means square difference for May, June and July were: 0.41, 0.35 and 0.31 (mm/day), respectively. On the other hand the mean absolute errors were: 0.46, 0.33 and 0.38 (mm/day), respectively, which are good values and acceptable results. Moreover, the correlation of determination (R2) for all the months of the study was 0.971. The result of Chi square (goodness of fit) shows that the distribution was 99.5% which is significant. The percentages and values from the analysis show that it can be used the daily or weekly readings from the atmometer for estimating reference evapotranspiration. Moreover, the atmometer is easy in installation, and inexpensive.

A field experiment was conducted in 2011 to study some of the parameters of performance of the tractor Jinma 754 Chinese manufacture as one of machinery unit parts (tractor and chisel plow) on a field of the College of Agriculture/ University of Baghdad. The field soil texture was characterized as a silty clay loam. The machinery unit has been moved at speeds of 2.270, 3.014 and 4.714 km/h with tillage depths: 10-15 cm., 15-20 cm. and 20-25 cm. . Some of tractor parameters were used in this study included: NOX, CO, HC and CO2.
The experiment designed according to a split split plot design under randomized complete block design with three replications to study two factors: three levels of tillage depths: 10-15, 15-20 and 20-25 cm the first factor and three levels of practical speed: 2.270, 3.014 and 4.714 km /h.
The second factor results showed the following: depths 20-25 cm. and practical speed 4.714 km/h recorded the lowest nitrogen oxides (NOX) 666,830 ppm to all depths and speeds, while the highest nitrogen oxides (NOX) 1040,500 ppm recorded at speed 2.270 km/h and tillage depth 10-15 cm.
While in case using speed 2.270 km/h and tillage depth 10-15 cm recorded lowest carbon dioxide (CO) 0,052% for all depths and speeds. Speed 4.714 km/h and tillage depth 20-25 cm recorded highest carbon dioxide (CO) 0,089%.
The practical speed 2.270 km/h and tillage depth 10-15 cm recorded the lowest amount of unburned fuel (HC) 7,500 ppm to all depths and speeds, the highest amount of unburned fuel (HC) 19,500 ppm at speed 4.714 km/h and tillage depth 20-25 cm, the interaction between practical speed 4.714 km/h and tillage depth 20-25 cm has been recorded lowest proportion of carbon dioxide (CO2) 16,423% to all depths and speeds, while practical speed 2.270 km/h and tillage depth 10-15 cm recorded highest proportion of carbon dioxide (CO2) 8,695%.
Conclusion from the research superior using depth 10 - 15 cm. and speed 2.270 km/h recorded the lowest CO and HC Therefore recommend to work at depth 10-15 cm. and practical speed 2.270 km / h.

The experiment was conducted in the fields of Agriculture College- University of Baghdad in 2009 in silt - clay soil to evaluate the effect of two Harrowing types, three forward speeds and three operating depths of Stegsted grain drill in some technical performance parameters of the machinery unit. "New Holland" tractor and Stegested grain seed drill were used as a machinery unit with two types of Harrows. The study consists of three factors; Harrowing Types included rotary harrow and spring spike tooth harrow represented the main plots, drill seed forward speed with three levels included 6.28, 7.61, and 11.43 km/h which represented the sub-plots and the third factor was three drill seeding depths included 3, 6, 9cm which represented the sub- sub plots slippage percentage, effective field capacity and field efficiency were studied in this experiment. The Experiment was carried out using split - split plot with complete randomized block design with three replicates. The results showed that using drill seeder after spring spike tooth harrow superposed the drill seeder after using rotary Harrow in recording lower rate of slippage percentage 8.452) %) and higher rate of effective field capacity (0.823 ha/h) and field efficiency (68.128 %). The third speed of sowing (11.43 km/h) superposed sowing speeds in recording higher rate of effective field capacity (1.080 ha/h). The lowest forward speed of sowing 6.28) km/h) was superior on other sowing speeds in recording lower rate of slippage percentage 7.765) %) and higher rate of field efficiency (68.601). The shallow depth of sowing (3 cm) was superior on other sowing depths in recording lower rate of slippage percentage (4.639 %) and higher rate of effective field capacity (0.865 ha/h) and field efficiency (71.715%). Harrowing by Spring Spike Tooth Harrow and decreasing sowing depth. The results showed that increased the effective field capacity and field efficiency, and specific decreasing in slippage percentage. On the other hand increasing sowing depth increased the effective field capacity and slippage percentage, and decreased the field efficiency. Using the grain drill after harrowing by spring spike tooth harrow on third speed with the first depth has given best performance indicators for machinery unit.