Mode-Based Assessment of Irrigation Scheduling using CROPWAT 8.0 under different soil Types in Babel: Case Study in Iraq
mpact of soil types on the irrigation schedule
Abstract
Iraq's economy is highly dependent on agricultural income, and irrigated agriculture requires an adequate supply of serviceable water. The current study aims to apply a computer model that predicts the water requirement for two types of soil (sandy and sandy loam) and suggests a plan to protect the modified water management. A numerical model (CROPWAT model) is implemented in this study based on the climate data and crop coefficient values of the plants that were established depending on the soil types. The agricultural area that lies in the city of Babel in Iraq is utilized in two locations for this study.The results explained that the total CWR of vegetables, barley, and wheat was determined to be 32.2 mm/dc, 35.1 mm/dc, and 33.5 mm/dc, respectively, for total growth periods of 92, 120, and 129 days in the years 2020–2024. Also, the maximum values of the net and gross irrigation requirement in two types of soil are 166 and 111.4 m, respectively. Moreover, the raising ratios of the gross depth when comparing between sandy and sandy loam soil types for the three classes of crops are 26%, 33%, and 52%, respectively. A comprehensive irrigation schedule plan that estimates the irrigation requirements for the other crops cultivated in the area may be created using this information, which contributes to improving the irrigation management and increasing the productivity of agriculture. The study recommended to irrigate the field according to a critical depletion scenario, which emphasizes water application prior to the crop going under water stress.
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