Assessment of the Hydrophysical Properties of Soils with Varying Calcareous Contents as Affected by Vermicompost Application and Their Impact on the Growth and Yield of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) under Northern Iraq Condition

• Maram Khairallah Ahmed1* Wael F. A. Alshamary2

  Author

Two experiments were conducted during the autumn growing season of 2025 at the College of Agriculture, University of Kirkuk, to evaluate the hydrophysical properties of soils with different calcareous contents amended with vermicompost and to investigate their effects on the growth and yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) under northern Iraq conditions. The study included two factors: soil calcareous content at four levels (1%, 15%, 26%, and 40%), while the second factor was vermicompost application at three levels (0%, 0.4%, and 0.8% of soil weight). Both experiments were arranged in a split-plot design within a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were statistically analyzed using SAS software, and treatment means were compared using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at the 0.05 probability level. The results showed that the treatment C1V2 significantly enhanced soil hydrophysical properties, recording the highest values of sorptivity, diffusivity, and hydraulic conductivity, whereas C4V0 recorded the lowest values. The improvement in soil hydrophysical properties was positively reflected in plant growth parameters and yield components. The treatment C1V2 produced the highest values of plant height, leaf area, green pod yield, and number of branches. Conversely, the lowest values were recorded under C4V0. This study provides new insights into improving the hydrophsical properites of calcareous soils using vermicompost. The findings support the use of vermicompost to improve soil quality and faba bean productivity.

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