Impact of Climate on the Water Estimates of Summer Crops in Baghdad Governorate

Abstract

This study adopted a climatic analytical approach and a quantitative method to estimate the water requirements of summer crops in Baghdad Governorate. Climatic data were analyzed using the reference evapotranspiration equation (Penman–Monteith), alongside the application of the CROPWAT model to calculate crop water requirements. The study focused on examining the impact of key climatic elements, namely temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation—on evapotranspiration rates and, consequently, on estimating the amount of water required for crop growth during the summer season.

The results revealed a clear and significant influence of climatic factors on increasing crop water requirements. Higher temperatures and lower relative humidity were found to accelerate evapotranspiration rates, leading to increased irrigation water demand. The findings also indicated that the highest water requirement values occur during the peak summer months, particularly in July and August, due to the hot and dry climatic conditions that characterize the study area. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that climate change in Baghdad contributes to declining agricultural productivity of major crops, alongside increasing pressure on limited water resources.

The study highlights the importance of adopting effective adaptation strategies to address these challenges, such as the use of modern irrigation technologies, including drip irrigation and smart irrigation systems, to reduce water losses and improve water use efficiency in the agricultural sector. It also emphasizes the necessity of utilizing climatic models and advanced computational tools in estimating crop water requirements, given their critical role in supporting agricultural planning and achieving sustainable water resource management.