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NEWS
A workshop at the Iraqi Center for Sugarcane Research
The Crop Production Division at the Iraqi Center for Sugarcane Research held a workshop entitled (Stages of Sugarcane Crop Growth) for the lecturer, Professor Dr. Nadir Flayh Ali Almubarak, at the research station affiliated with the research center on Sunday, November 28, 2024.
The workshop included an extensive discussion between the lecturer and attendees about the growth stages of the sugarcane crop. The lecturer explained that the sugarcane plant goes through four stages of growth, which are as follows:
1- The germination stage: It starts from planting the cuttings until the germination of the buds and its duration is between 4-5 weeks, and the optimal temperature for the germination of the buds ranges between 20-30 m˚.
2- Bud growth stage: Its duration is 30 days, and it is delicate and very sensitive to the local climate. Temperature, solar radiation, and duration of lighting play a major role in the good growth of this stage. The ideal temperature for this stage is 30 degrees Celsius, in addition to the type of buds. Soil, water availability, nutrient supply, fertilization, weed control, etc., because this stage forms the basis for good production.
3- The major vegetative growth stage: It is also called the main growth stage, which is the period that lasts between 150-180 days. The best growth of sugarcane requires heat and humidity to facilitate the production and growth of leaves. This stage requires a high temperature and an ideal humidity of 80%.
4- The stage of puberty and maturity: It takes a period of approximately 90-150 days, and in this stage there is a rapid accumulation of sucrose, as well as the conversion of simple sugar to sucrose. This stage requires low temperatures and low humidity with good sunlight, as the cold and dry period accelerates of the maturation process.
A Discussion Session entitled (Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Used in Sugarcane Cultivation)
The Department of Agricultural Engineering at the Iraqi Center for Sugarcane Research (ICSR) held a discussion session entitled (Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Used in Sugarcane Cultivation) For the lecturer, Assistant Professor Dr. Amer Khaled Ahmed, in the Internet Unit Hall of the Central Library on Sunday 1/12/2024, it included a detailed explanation of the machines used in sugarcane cultivation, from the plowing process to preparing the land to the planting process using machines, and included the following points:
- Preparing the land for cultivation using plows. Modern tillage systems called Conservation Tillage to reduce the number of times machines are used in the field and also protect the soil from water and wind erosion. These include Minimum Tillage, Zero Tillage, and Strip Tillage instead of Conventional Tillage.
- Methods of planting sugarcane.
- Using mechanical planters in sugarcane cultivation, a detailed explanation of the planting procedure and the method of operation.
A Discussion Session entitled (The role of artificial intelligence in developing sugarcane cultivation in Iraq)
The Crop Production Division at the Iraqi Center for Sugarcane Research (ICSR) held a scientific session entitled (The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Developing Sugarcane Cultivation in Iraq), which was lectured by Assistant Lecturer Wrood Adnan Naseef in the Internet Unit Hall of the Central Library on Sunday, December 15, 2024.
The session included a discussion of the role of artificial intelligence (AI): as one of the fields of computer science that is concerned with developing software and systems that can perform tasks that require human intelligence. This includes the ability to learn, think, plan, recognize patterns, and understand natural language.
Some common applications of artificial intelligence:
1- Machine learning: where systems are trained to recognize patterns from data and make decisions based on that.
2- Natural language processing: improving the ability of machines to understand, analyze, and generate human language.
3- Computer vision: enabling machines to analyze and understand images and videos.
4- Robotics: developing machines capable of performing complex tasks in the real world.
Benefits of Artificial Intelligence:
1- Increased efficiency: Intelligent systems can perform tasks more quickly and accurately than humans.
2- Data analysis: The ability to analyze huge amounts of data effectively.
3- Improving daily life: Through applications in healthcare, education, entertainment, and others.
Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture
• Agricultural robots
Robots are used to perform various tasks in agriculture, such as planting, harvesting, and spraying pesticides. Robots help reduce the need for workers and save time.
• Drones
Drones are used to monitor and control crops. This technology allows farmers to observe the status of crops with high accuracy, which helps in making quick decisions.
Challenges facing the application of artificial intelligence in agriculture:
• High costs
Artificial intelligence technologies require large investments at the beginning. These costs may be a barrier for farmers, especially in developing countries.
• Lack of skills
The use of artificial intelligence in agriculture requires advanced technical skills. Farmers may find it difficult to adapt to these technologies.
• Ethical Issues
The use of AI in agriculture raises some ethical issues, such as privacy and data protection. Companies and farmers must adhere to ethical standards when using these technologies.
The Future
• Continuing Innovations
Innovations in AI and agriculture are expected to continue. New technologies will help improve agricultural efficiency and enhance food security.
• Focus on Sustainability
Sustainability will continue to be a focus in AI applications. New technologies must strive to achieve balance between increasing production and protecting the environment.
