Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)

Effect of Ionic Strength of Irrigation Water on Nitrate Concentration of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.) In Erbil Plainnitrate concentration of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Erbil plain

https://doi.org/10.58928/ku25.16405
Volume 16, Issue 4 - Issue Serial Number 4
Autumn 2025
Page 39-47
Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Aveen Sabir Karem 1
kazhin sarbaz rajab 2
Akram Othman Esmail 3

1 Soil and Water Department, College of Agriculture, Engineering Sciences, Salahaddin University-Erbil, IRAQ..

2 Soil and Water Department, college of Agricultural and Engineering Sciences , Salahadin University-Erbil, Iraq

3 Soil and Water Department, College of Agriculture, Engineering Sciences, Salahaddin University-Erbil, IRAQ

Abstract
The study was conducted during the growing season of 2024 at 28 locations in Erbil plain, Iraq, Iraqi Kurdistan Region, to test the influence of the ionic strength of irrigation water on nitrate (NO3-) concentration of the cucumber plant. The green test and the spectrophotometric method were used for nitrate determination. The selected locations were similar in soil properties, type, and amount of chemical and organic fertilizers applied by farmers. The results indicated the permissible nitrate concentration (NO3-) in the studied cucumber samples was less than the maximum allowable concentration of 400 μg g-1. The highest soil calcium carbonate, active lime, and soil pH were ranged between (20.76 - 29.31%), (2.09 - 4.39%), and (7.70 - 8.30), respectively. The nitrate concentration of cucumber in the study ranged between 189.67 to 324.11 and 182.16 to 316.12 (μg g-1 for both analysis methods, respectively. A significant correlation was recorded between the green analyzer and the spectrophotometric method, with a correlation coefficient value of (r =0.97**) was recorded between both methods in determining nitrate concentration. This means that both methods of nitrate analysis are accurate and dependable for scientific studies. The negative correlation was recorded between cucumber nitrate concentration and the total and active calcium carbonate, with the correlation coefficient values (r = -0.57* and -0.83 **), respectively. The statistical analysis results indicated to a significant correlation between nitrate concentration and ionic strength of irrigation water, with the correlation coefficient values of (r=0.63* and 0.73*) between nitrate concentration in cucumber and irrigation water ionic strength for green analyzer and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. Finally, the nitrate concentration of the cucumber plant had no risk on human health due to its low concentration.

Keywords

Water Ionic strength
Calcareous soil
Cucumber plant
Nitrate risk
Methods of analysis
Subjects
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