Calculating the temperature values needed for growing and cultivating corn in Kirkuk district

Abstract

This study highlights important aspects of thermal suitability and its effects on maize cultivation in Kirkuk District, considering maize as one of the most important food crops in the region. Agriculture and thermal adequacy are among the most significant factors that directly and indirectly influence climatic elements determining agricultural production. The success of cultivating such crops largely depends on the compatibility between their thermal requirements and the prevailing temperatures of the region. Temperature also plays a crucial role in determining the spatial distribution and concentration of crop cultivation. The results revealed a high degree of compatibility between the thermal threshold values required by maize from germination to harvesting and the thermal resources available in the study area during the period (1990–2025). The study concluded that the accumulated effective heat units for maize during the growing season reached 2433.3°C. The accumulated heat requirements amounted to 281.8°C during the germination stage, 264.8°C during the vegetative growth stage, 357°C during the flowering stage, and 142.3°C during the maturity stage. These values indicate that the thermal conditions of Kirkuk District are generally suitable for supporting maize growth and production throughout its developmental stages.