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PLAN 1

          We received the first sub-grant of $ 50,000 on 16/09/2013. We then started some investigations to select 2 locations for conducting the project in Baghdad and Najaf (180 km south of Baghdad) Governorates, Iraq. Soils of these 2 locations are sandy loam. Soil samples were collected for physical and chemical analyses such as texture, pH, Salinity, Capillarity, carbonates content, soil moisture characteristic curve…etc. Greenhouse construction is now completed at each location. All planting requirements for tomato crop are ready including subsurface irrigation, plastic cove, seedlings, polyethylene membrane, fertilizers, and insecticides. We ordered soil moisture probes 5TE to measure water content, salinity and temperature from Decagon Devices and were shipped to Baghdad on 7th of Jan., 2014 and should be arrived soon. Planting of tomato seedlings will be next week as soon as the soil probes getting here. Two PhD graduate students will do their research work under this PEER project under my supervision in the Department of Soil Sciences and Water Resources/College of Agriculture/University of Baghdad. Two seminars were presented: one was in College of Agriculture/University of Kufa, Najaf (mid of Oct.) and the other was in College of Agriculture/ University of Baghdad, Baghdad (mid of Nov)/ (Photos are shown below). Two lectures presented for the PhD students and 4th year undergraduate students /University of Baghdad. The aim of these seminars and lectures were to explain the PEER program and the technique and applications of getting grants from NAS-USAID and also the philosophy of using SWRT in course-textured soils to save water and fertilizers and increasing yields. Two meetings were held by PI with group of the Division of The Pioneer Projects, Office of Research and Development, MHESR, and also with the Administrative Committee of the Iraqi Soc. Of Soil Sci. to explain the importance of this PEER project for the country which introduces a new technology to Iraq and the ways to spread this technology among the vegetables producing farmers. Students and farmers visits, field days and workshops are planned to be done during this spring for both locations. One of the US partner will visit Iraq within the next 6 months. Two PhD students will visit the States between May and October to be aware of the application of SWRT at MSU and also to take a course on SALUS technique which will be presented during the summer. I arrange for their expenses to be paid by MHESR.

PLAN 2

Second Quarterly Report Summary

Since this project deals with plants, planting date is a big issue that influences the time table of the project. The planting date at Najaf location was on 22 of Jan, 2014 and at Baghdad 22 of Feb.  Tomato seedlings were transplanted into plastic houses by these dates. All agricultural practices were performed for the four treatments designed including the main polyethylene membrane treatment. Soil moisture probes 5TE and all accessories were imported from Decagon Devices, USA and received in Baghdad on 10 of Jan, 2014. We are indented to PEER, these instruments are now used in Iraq for the first time. These probes are used to take consecutive measurements of soil moisture, salinity and temperature. Some Iraqi universities start asking about these devices and how to purchase them in order to use them in research and practical usages. Tow PhD students have already started their research work under this PEER project under my supervision at the department of soil science, university of Baghdad. Arrangements were made for both students to go to MSU for training to be aware of the SWRT designs for 4 months. All expenses will be paid by the ministry of higher education and scientific research (Iraq). Students will be supervised by the US partner for this project, Prof. Dr. A. Smucker, department of Plants and soil science, MUS. Their visit is expected to being on June 15 to July 15 this year depending on visa arrangement. A visit for the principle investigator PI is also arranged to MSU to be aware with latest SWRT research activities and developments and also the improvement of the membrane planting device MID done in MSU. Plan is to earn some local money sources here in Iraq to purchase one. It is somehow expensive to be bought by PEER project. Two field days for undergraduate students of the departments of soil science in Baghdad and Kufa universities were done. Two field workshops for the teaching staff members were also done at both universities. Two similar activities are planned to be done for graduate students at both universities. In addition, two field days for farmers at both locations will be done as soon as the plant production period will begin. The goals of these activities are to explain the importance of this PEER project for the country though introducing a new technology to reclaim sandy soils by conservation of water and fertilizers. In addition, we are attempting to spread this technology among the vegetable producing farmers. Data measurements were taken for both soil characteristics and plant growth parameters since the planting dates and on. Production data will also be taken as measures for comparison between treatments.