The affect of the Marshes’ soil on Crops  

Muaid Shaker Ali

• Complex biological system and important sources ( fish, birds, buffalos, plants).

• Important area to produce rice, wheat, corn, barely, vegetables, date palm trees.  

Introduction 

Introduction • Located in southern Iraq since 

5000 yr s ago.• Bordered by three big provinces , 

Basra in the south, Amara in the north and north east, and Dhiqar in north and north west. 

• Total area 7700 km2 prior to 1991. 

Marshes location

• From north side lat 31.38 N long 47.29 E elevation 6m• From south side lat 30.06 N long 47.09 E elevation 15m     

• Many dames built to deprive the area from water resources ( Euphrates and Tigris rivers)

• People and life were brought to death in Marshes areas.

• Demography and geography of the areas were changed 

1991- 2003

• Dams destroyed .• The life back again.• Marshes research center/ Dhiqar university was

established :I. Working with other organizations. II. Soil and water lab.III. Developing research , especially in Agriculture major.

2003- ??

Area Remapping  

• First, tried to contact people to remap the area.

• Second, working with Iraqi ministry of environment and united nations environment program ( UNEP):

To use GPS, and GIS: To identify areas where crops can be

grow n within , and areas which would be covered with water.

Methods the major project was • Provided training course for local and

professional people who were working in government offices: 

I. Collecting and analyzing soil samples II. Analysis of water quality.III. Conducting agricultural researches.

Two locations For agricultural researches:• Abada’s village.•Bani Asaad’s village.collecting and analyzing soil samples. Locations were planted: wheat, barely, rice, corn, and sorghum.

Results 2005 ?? Soil and water analysis

Location 1 Abada 

parameter Value 

Soil texture  Clay loam  

Soil PH 5.8- 6.5

TOM 1.2- 2%

TOC 0.7- 0.9%

NO3-N  0.04-0.08 g N/kg

Nh4-N Missing data

Phosphorus  0.01-0.04 g P/Kg

Soil salinity 2.2- 3.9 mhos 

Water salinity 1.2-3.9 mhos

Water PH 7.23- 8.42

Results 2005 ?? Soil and water analysis

Location 2 Bani Asaad 

parameter Value 

Soil texture  Silty clay loam

Soil PH 5.5- 6.9

TOM 1.6- 2. 5%

TOC 0.9- 1.5%

NO3-N  1.07-1.9 g N/kg

Nh4-N Missing data

Phosphorus  0.05-0.09 g P/Kg

Soil salinity 1.2- 2.8 mhos 

Water salinity 1.9-3.5 mhos

Water PH 7.65- 8.32

Crops production Location  Crops  Yield  ton/ha

Abada Wheat  2.5

Barely  1.23 

Rice 0.32

Corn  0.32

Sorghum  0.45

Location  Crops  Yield  ton/ha

Bani Asaad  Wheat   3.5

Barely  2.6 

Rice Did not plant

Corn  0.95

Sorghum  1.21

Compared ??

• Location OneI. Soil- analysis 

independent.II.  Fertilizers use based on 

out of date recommendations( five to ten years old). 

• Location twoa. Soil- analysis 

dependent.

Future plans  • Make contact with OSU to

provide new information for Iraqi farmers and government officials specialized in Marshes development:

I. soil analysis.II. N fertilizer (N rich strip).III. Greenseeker.

• Variable Rate• Nozzle System

• irection• of Travel

• Computer and• Sensor• Assembly

• Decision Making• And Agronomic Strategy

• Plant

References 

 http://iraq.iraq.ir/ WQMP - summary of data 20 Mar 07Water Quality. http://marshlands.unep.or.jp http://marshlands.unep.or.jp http://www.iraqws.com

Thank YouQuestion