Optimum groundwater table depth and irrigation schedules for controlling soil salinity in Central Iraq

Excessive irrigation and poor drainage conditions are the major factors contributing to rising groundwater tables and soil salinity in the irrigated areas of Central Iraq. Therefore calculations of precise irrigation requirements are necessary to optimize crop production and keep the groundwater tab...

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Main Authors: Qureshi, Asad Sarwar, Ahmad, Waqas, Ahmad, A.F.A.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Wiley 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/40299
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author Qureshi, Asad Sarwar
Ahmad, Waqas
Ahmad, A.F.A.
author_browse Ahmad, A.F.A.
Ahmad, Waqas
Qureshi, Asad Sarwar
author_facet Qureshi, Asad Sarwar
Ahmad, Waqas
Ahmad, A.F.A.
author_sort Qureshi, Asad Sarwar
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Excessive irrigation and poor drainage conditions are the major factors contributing to rising groundwater tables and soil salinity in the irrigated areas of Central Iraq. Therefore calculations of precise irrigation requirements are necessary to optimize crop production and keep the groundwater table below the root zone to avoid soil salinization. In this study, the soil-water-atmosphere-plant (SWAP) model is used to determine optimal groundwater table depth and irrigation amounts for the study area. SWAP was calibrated using field data from the study area during the wheat and maize season of 2011-2012. The modelling results reveal that under current irrigation practices (600mm to wheat and 1000mm to maize), more than 30% water is lost as deep percolation. This causes a rise in the groundwater table and reduction in crop yields. The model simulations suggest that a groundwater table depth of 200 cm together with an irrigation application of 500mm to wheat and 600mm to maize will be the best combination to attain optimal yields. Therefore a drainage system in these areas should be installed to maintain groundwater table depth around 200 cm. Maintaining adeeper groundwater table will not be suitable as costs will increase and crop responses negligible. For long-term sustainability, rehabilitation of existing drainage systems to evacuate excessive salts from the root zone will be imperative.
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spelling CGSpace402992025-06-17T08:23:26Z Optimum groundwater table depth and irrigation schedules for controlling soil salinity in Central Iraq Qureshi, Asad Sarwar Ahmad, Waqas Ahmad, A.F.A. groundwater table depth irrigation management irrigation scheduling soil salinity soil profiles crop production wheat maize simulation models calibration water balance Excessive irrigation and poor drainage conditions are the major factors contributing to rising groundwater tables and soil salinity in the irrigated areas of Central Iraq. Therefore calculations of precise irrigation requirements are necessary to optimize crop production and keep the groundwater table below the root zone to avoid soil salinization. In this study, the soil-water-atmosphere-plant (SWAP) model is used to determine optimal groundwater table depth and irrigation amounts for the study area. SWAP was calibrated using field data from the study area during the wheat and maize season of 2011-2012. The modelling results reveal that under current irrigation practices (600mm to wheat and 1000mm to maize), more than 30% water is lost as deep percolation. This causes a rise in the groundwater table and reduction in crop yields. The model simulations suggest that a groundwater table depth of 200 cm together with an irrigation application of 500mm to wheat and 600mm to maize will be the best combination to attain optimal yields. Therefore a drainage system in these areas should be installed to maintain groundwater table depth around 200 cm. Maintaining adeeper groundwater table will not be suitable as costs will increase and crop responses negligible. For long-term sustainability, rehabilitation of existing drainage systems to evacuate excessive salts from the root zone will be imperative. 2013-06 2014-06-13T14:47:20Z 2014-06-13T14:47:20Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/40299 en Limited Access Wiley Qureshi, Asad Sarwar; Ahmad, Waqas; Ahmad, A-F. A. 2013. Optimum groundwater table depth and irrigation schedules for controlling soil salinity in Central Iraq. Irrigation and Drainage, 62(4):414-424. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.1746
spellingShingle groundwater table
depth
irrigation management
irrigation scheduling
soil salinity
soil profiles
crop production
wheat
maize
simulation models
calibration
water balance
Qureshi, Asad Sarwar
Ahmad, Waqas
Ahmad, A.F.A.
Optimum groundwater table depth and irrigation schedules for controlling soil salinity in Central Iraq
title Optimum groundwater table depth and irrigation schedules for controlling soil salinity in Central Iraq
title_full Optimum groundwater table depth and irrigation schedules for controlling soil salinity in Central Iraq
title_fullStr Optimum groundwater table depth and irrigation schedules for controlling soil salinity in Central Iraq
title_full_unstemmed Optimum groundwater table depth and irrigation schedules for controlling soil salinity in Central Iraq
title_short Optimum groundwater table depth and irrigation schedules for controlling soil salinity in Central Iraq
title_sort optimum groundwater table depth and irrigation schedules for controlling soil salinity in central iraq
topic groundwater table
depth
irrigation management
irrigation scheduling
soil salinity
soil profiles
crop production
wheat
maize
simulation models
calibration
water balance
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/40299
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