The Role of Potassium and Zinc Fertilization on Enhancing Climate Change Tolerance in Wheat Production in Basrah, Iraq

Khshan, Suad Gatea; Fekri, Majid; Mohammadi-Nejad, Ghasem; Desher, Mohsin Abdulhay; Boroomand, Naser

doi:10.22077/jdcr.2025.9044.1123

The Role of Potassium and Zinc Fertilization on Enhancing Climate Change Tolerance in Wheat Production in Basrah, Iraq

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Suad Gatea Khshan ¹

Majid Fekri ²

Ghasem Mohammadi-Nejad ³

Mohsin Abdulhay Desher ⁴

Naser Boroomand ⁵

¹ Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman,Iran

² Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman,Kerman, Iran

³ Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.

⁴ Department of Soil Sciences and Water Resources, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq.

⁵ Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22077/jdcr.2025.9044.1123

Abstract

It is estimated that by 2050, food production should increase by 70% to sustain the global population of 9.1 billion people. This research examines the setting interactions of potassium (K) and Zinc (Zn) on the salt tolerance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Basrah, Iraq where salt concentration in soil severely limits agricultural productivity. The experiment was carried out in sandy loam soil of moderate salinity employing a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with the wheat subjected to various nutrient treatments for 3 and 6-day intervals. The data indicates that both K and Zn individually and in combination considerably increased the height and yield of plants above the control. In other words, the control treatment resulted from drastic reductions in growth and yield over time. Nutrient management is essential. Strict salt management and the application of Zn and K increased the growth of wheat significantly more than did saline irrigation without Zn and K. These results highlight the importance of integrated nutrient management in increasing wheat productivity and resilience in regions with high salinity problems to help foster sustainable agriculture with rising environmental burden.

Keywords

Nutrient management

Agricultural productivity

Food security

drought

Crop resilience

Subjects

Drought

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