Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)

Evaluation of Runoff Farming at Two Different Rainfall Zones of the Semiarid Climate of Erbil Province

https://doi.org/10.58928/ku23.14334
Volume 14, Issue 3 - Issue Serial Number 3
Summer 2023
Page 335-350
Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Nasih H. Azeez 1
Tariq H. Karim 2

1 Department Soil and Water, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences University of Salahaddin, Erbil, Iraq.

2 Department of Surveying and Geomatics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tishk International University,Erbil, Iraq.

Abstract
Rainfed agriculture in arid and semiarid regions is risky due to low rainfall and uneven distribution. To improve crop productivity runoff water can be utilized as alternative source of available water. Two field experiments were conducted at Chalook and Byok to study the interactive effect of five levels of catchment cultivation area ratio (0,1,2,3 and 4) and two catchment slopes (5% and 10%) on wheat growth and yield,15 runoff plots were established at each site and for each slope. Lower part of each plot served as a cultivated area, with dimensions of 2.5 m x 3 m and kept nearly flat. Conversely the upper part of each plot served as scarified catchment, all of the same width of 2.5 m, but of different lengths to offer catchment cultivated area ratios of 0,1,2,3, and 4. Results showed a gradual increase in wheat grain yield and aboveground biomass with an increase in catchment to cultivated area ratio (CA:C) at both sites. However, the catchment slope produced a higher grain yield compared to 10% slope, but the difference was insignificant. The theoretical CA:C values compared to the maximum applied ratio suggest the possibility of further increase in grain yield with an increase beyond 4:1, particularly at Chalook site. Byok site outperformed the Chalook site due to increased water arability at the former site. Linear regression analysis revealed that CA:C merged as the most effecting factor affecting grain yield, followed by annual rainfall. Over 91% of variation in grain yield can be assigned to variations in CA:C, annual rainfall, and catchment slope.

Keywords

Water Harvesting,,
,،Design Rainfall,,
,،Runoff Farming,,
,،Catchment Cultivated Area Ratio,,
,،Grain Yield Modelling
Subjects
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