Development of “Wafaa Halabja”, a New Bread Wheat ( <i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) Cultivar Adapted to the Rainfed Areas of Northern Iraq – Kurdistan Region

Abstract To improve wheat productivity under rainfed agriculture in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq, a long-term field evaluation was conducted to identify superior bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes adapted to local agroecological environments. A total of 28 genotypes introduced from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, Mexico, were grown and assessed over eight consecutive growing seasons in the Shahrizor plain, a representative rainfed area. The primary objective was to evaluate the productivity and adaptability of these genotypes and select the most promising ones based on yield potential and environmental suitability. In the final three seasons, nine superior genotypes were selected and evaluated alongside three widely grown local cultivars using a randomised complete block design with three replications. The analysis was based on data from two consecutive agricultural seasons (2022/2023 and 2023/2024). The results revealed that genotype no. 22 consistently outperformed all others in grain yield, yield components and stability under rainfed agriculture. Its superior agronomic performance and genetic stability prompted its nomination for official registration. This genotype showed superiority for traits: number of spikes per square meter, 1,000-grain weight and grain yield, as well as stability for grain yield and yield-associated traits over the past three seasons, despite variations in rainfall amounts during these seasons. Following further evaluation by a special committee at the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture in Baghdad, genotype no. 22 was officially approved and released as a new cultivar under the name ‘Wafaa-Halabja’ and recognised for its high productivity and suitability for rainfed farming systems in Northern Iraq. This achievement marks a significant step towards sustainable wheat production and food security in semi-arid regions.