Soil fertility status for wheat crop production based on its soil organic matter and nitrogen contents

Abstract EN

The study was conducted to show the role of organic carbon and total content of available nitrogen on soil suitability for wheat production.

The study area located in central of Iraq, in Al-Kufa – Alnajaf province situated approximately between 32° 00' N to 32° 10' N and 44° 20' E to 44° 35' E with total area of 27664 ha.

Thirty five sites were selected representing all variations within the study area and located on landsat 8 image using GPS.

Soil samples were taken from each of the selected sites and analyzed in laboratory to determine some physical and chemical properties.

The results revealed that most soils of the study soils are Haplosalids and to some extend the presence of Torrifluvents.

Most of soils have high salt accumulation.

Rating scores for soil properties were evaluated using FAO, 2007 system to determine the suitability class for each soil site .The results indicated four suitability classes for wheat production in the study area including , S3, N1 and N2 with, about 37% of the total area of the study site are not suitable for wheat production due, mainly to the effect of high salinity level and to some extent to low content of organic carbon and total available nitrogen.

Also, the results demonstrated the effects of organic carbon and available nitrogen on the spatial distribution pattern of soil suitability classes for wheat production.