Good Quality Irrigation Water Research Articles

Host Plant Modulated Physio-Biochemical Process Enhances Adaptive Response of Sandalwood (Santalum album L.) under Salinity Stress.

Salinity is one of the most significant abiotic stress that affects the growth and development of high-value tree species, including sandalwood, which can also be managed effectively on saline soils with the help of suitable host species. Therefore, the current investigation was conducted to understand the physiological processes and antioxidant mechanisms in sandalwood along the different salinity gradients to explore the host species that could support sandalwood growth in salt-affected agro-ecosystems. Sandalwood seedlings were grown with ten diverse host species with saline water irrigation gradients (ECiw~3, 6, and 9 dS m-1) and control (ECiw~0.82 dS m-1). Experimental findings indicate a decline in the chlorophyll content (13-33%), relative water content (3-23%), photosynthetic (27-61%) and transpiration rate (23-66%), water and osmotic potential (up to 137%), and ion dynamics (up to 61%) with increasing salinity levels. Conversely, the carotenoid content (23-43%), antioxidant activity (up to 285%), and membrane injury (82-205%) were enhanced with increasing salinity stress. Specifically, among the hosts, Dalbergia sissoo and Melia dubia showed a minimum reduction in chlorophyll content, relative water content, and plant water relation and gas exchange parameters of sandalwood plants. Surprisingly, most of the host tree species maintained K+/Na+ of sandalwood up to moderate water salinity of ECiw~6 dS m-1; however, a further increase in water salinity decreased the K+/Na+ ratio of sandalwood by many-fold. Salinity stress also enhanced the antioxidative enzyme activity, although the maximum increase was noted with host plants M. dubia, followed by D. sissoo and Azadirachta indica. Overall, the investigation concluded that sandalwood with the host D. sissoo can be successfully grown in nurseries using saline irrigation water and, with the host M. dubia, it can be grown using good quality irrigation water.

Hydraulic characterization of Pwales aquifer in Malta Island preparatory for planning managed aquifer recharge (MAR) pilot plant

Whitin the aim to reduce the water demand by increasing water use efficiency and providing alternative water resources, and mainly to meet the demand of good quality irrigation water for agriculture, the Energy and Water Agency of Malta is planning to develop a Managed Aquifer Recharge pilot plant in Pwales Valley to improve the quantitative and qualitative status of the groundwater body. For this reason a detailed hydraulic characterization of the valley was carried out. Specifically, hydraulic properties of the rocks that constitute strata atop of the Pwales aquifer were determined by means of both laboratory measurements on samples and field test carried out in the studied area. The water retention and hydraulic conductivity functions, which relate the matric potential, ψ, and hydraulic conductivity, K, to the water content, θ, respectively, were measured using three experimental methods because each of them allows to obtain data points in a specific wet range. The water retention and hydraulic conductivity functions were measured on samples extracted from blocks of Upper Coralline Limestone formation, that hosts the aquifer, collected in three different quarries: Ghian Tuffieha, Mellieha and San Martin areas. The measured water retention and hydraulic conductivity data were fitted with LABROS SoilView Analysis software that allows to describe the functions and obtain the parameters which are crucial for modelling the water flow and transport processes in the critical zone. In addition, large ring infiltrometer test was carried out to determine the field saturated hydraulic conductivity, Kfs, and the average infiltration rate. Knowledge of the hydraulic characteristics of the Upper Coralline Limestone, completely missing in the scientific literature, allows developing a local groundwater-flow numerical model in order to better describe and understand how the water flows from the soil to the groundwater of the valley and visualize different environmental scenarios such as the potential effects of Managed Aquifer Recharge plant in the Pwales Coastal Groundwater Body.

Desenvolvimento e qualidade de frutos de melão amarelo sob estresse salino

ABSTRACT The need for studies that allow the use of brackish water in irrigated agriculture and the socioeconomic importance of melon cultivation in Brazil, especially for the Northeast region, which concentrates most of the national production and faces problems with the availability of good quality water for irrigation, motivated the present study. In this context, the objective of present study was to evaluate the growth, production and fruit quality of the ‘Goldex’ (yellow-type hybrid F1) melon under salt stress conditions. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design, with two salinity levels of irrigation water (0.8 and 4.0 dS m-1) and eight evaluation times (52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, and 66 days after transplanting). Variables of plant growth and development, production and quality of melon fruits were evaluated throughout the cycle. Plants had delayed growth characteristics and less development with the increase in irrigation water salinity, showing reductions of more than 20% in shoot dry weight, leaf area, number of branches and length of secondary branches and 16.7% in length of the main branch. In addition, salinity caused a delay in fruit development and a 16% reduction in final fruit weight, without significantly modifying carbohydrate and total soluble solids contents. Along the development, there was an increase in the total soluble solids content of the fruits, especially due to the increment of sucrose at the final stages of development.

Assessing the quality of the municipal wastewater used for irrigation in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Abstract Municipal wastewater has been inevitably rising over time with the growing population, rapid urbanisation, and expanding sewerages. This study was conducted in the Jodhpur district of Western Rajasthan, India, which has a hot semi-arid climate and faces an acute shortage of good-quality water for irrigation. As a result, municipal wastewater is being used in agricultural fields in urban and peri-urban areas of Jodhpur. This study evaluates the suitability of municipal wastewater for irrigation in agriculture. Samples were collected from the Basni Bedan drainage area during December, 2022 and were analysed for various physico-chemical and biological parameters. The SAR value and EC were observed as 13 + 0.20 Meq/L and 1352.5 + 20.11 μS cm−1. BOD, DO, and COD values were obtained 56 + 2.57, 365 + 7.64, and 3.55 + 0.13 mg/L, respectively, which were above the Indian Standard permissible levels. High levels of total coliform counts, 177.5 + 4.86 MPN/100mL, were found. Statistical analysis reveals a positive correlation for pairs chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (R=0.98) and a negative correlation for pairs BOD and dissolved oxygen (DO) (R=0.99). It was concluded that the studied wastewater is polluted and may cause potential health risks. There is a need for proper planning and strategies to develop an economical viable treatment system for sustainable agricultural management.

Characterization and spatial mapping of irrigation water quality and their effects on soil properties in Hathin Block of Palwal district, Haryana

Aim: Characterization and spatial mapping of irrigation water quality of Hathin block, District Palwal, Haryana. Methodology: In order to assess the ground water quality for irrigation suitability and their effect on soil chemical properties, 68 ground water samples were collected, and analyzed for pH, EC, anions (CO32-, HCO3-, Cl-, SO42- and NO3-) and cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+). Water quality indices [(Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and residual sodium carbonate (RSC)] were also computed. Results: The pH and EC of water samples ranged from 6.69-8.35 and 0.77 -11.99 dSm-1 with mean value of 7.48 and 4.21 dSm-1, respectively. The cations and anions followed the order: Na+> Mg2+> Ca2+> K+, and Cl- > SO42-> HCO3−> CO32−>NO3−. RSC and SAR ranged from Nil - 5.40 me l-1 and 5.64 - 19.98 (mmol l-1)1/2, respectively. According to All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) classification, out of total water samples, 17.6 % were found as good, 22.1 % as marginal saline, 4.4 % as saline, 48.5 % as high SAR saline, and 7.4 % as higher alkali. Interpretation: The soluble ions were found higher under higher saline conditions as compared to the locations had good quality irrigation water, which altered soil nutrient status. In order to mitigate the negative impacts of such water, it is advised that brackish or saline groundwater be used to irrigate field crops by diluting it with canal (good quality) water. Key words: Residual sodium carbonate, Soluble ions, Sodium absorption ratio, Water quality indices

A dynamic model for salinity and sodicity management on agricultural lands: Interactive simulation approach

In this research, a dynamic simulation model, SAMIMI (Salinity/Sodicity Management with an Interactive Model Interface), is developed for managing the effects of agricultural water use and crop choices on soil salinization and sodification, and their impacts on crop yields. SAMIMI integrates the vertical hydraulic flow, solute transport, and crop processes in feedback by a compartmental, non-linear model architecture. With its holistic integrated approach to salinity /sodicity processes, it adopts a system dynamics approach. Though it is simplified in spatial resolution, the model credibility is sufficiently evaluated with indirect structure tests and against the data by Hydrus-1D, and soil-column experiments that were conducted as part of the SAMIMI (Salinity/Sodicity Management Interdisciplinary Multi-Institutional Network) project conducted in the semi-arid Konya Closed Basin of Turkey. Model analysis provide valuable insights to the role of irrigation efficiency, water quality and crop choices on soil degradation and yield losses, which are important for learning about and management of salinity/sodicity related problems: Although irrigation efficiency is desirable for water conservation purposes, it may result in higher salinity /sodicity levels because of insufficient leaching in well drained soil profiles. Salinity and sodicity have opposite effects on soil hydraulic conductivity, and while low saline irrigation water is desirable for agricultural production, under relatively high sodic conditions, it can lead to reduced hydraulic conductivity which can degrade soil characteristics to the detriment of crops. Salinity is not simply correlated with relative irrigation water consumption but with the crop salt tolerance as well. Hence, low water consuming crops with high salt tolerance can lead to over salinization, rendering the soil profiles inappropriate for cultivation of salt vulnerable crops, if not sufficiently leached before by precipitation and/or good-quality irrigation water. The model is published as a publicly available online interactive simulation tool with a fast-simulating user-friendly interface targeting researchers, students, experts, farmers and policy makers.

Resource Use Efficiency and Gross Returns from Food Grain Crops in the Low Hill Zone Economy of Himachal Pradesh

Resource use efficiency in agriculture is defined to include the concepts of technical efficiency, allocative efficiency and environmental efficiency. Public investment, subsidies and credit for agriculture are used in an efficient manner. There are large scale inter regional as well as inter farm variations in factor productivity due to varying influence of different factors in different regions. A number of management factors such as timeliness and method of sowing, transplanting, irrigation and application of right doses of inputs and input mix play an important role in influencing inter-farm variation in crop productivity. Growing marginalization and fragmentation of land holdings coupled with rising incidence of informal tenancies and poor rural infrastructure such as road, electricity, markets and education affect factor productivity. The availability of good quality irrigation water coupled with flexibility of irrigation and drainage system and appropriate methods of application as well as pricing of irrigation water is crucial for sustainable use of land and water resources.

Urban water as an alternative freshwater resource for matching irrigation demand in the Bengal delta

Rapid changes in climate patterns, population growth, urbanization, and rising economic activities have increased the pressure on the delta's freshwater availability. Bangladesh's coastal planes suffer from a shortage of good quality irrigation water, which is crucial for peri-urban agriculture and at the same time, a high volume of untreated wastewater is discharged into the surface water. This calls for a transition towards efficiently managing and (re)using available urban water resources for irrigation, which is addressed in this paper. A quantitative match between the irrigation demand and potential freshwater supply has been assessed considering different urban water generation scenarios. The FAO AquaCrop model has been used to calculate the irrigation water demand for Boro rice during the dry period. Results indicate that 7.4 million m3 of irrigation water is needed, whereas over 8.2 million m3 of urban water is being generated during the dry season. Simultaneously, mismatches between irrigation demand and alternative water supply mainly occurred in February and March, which could be resolved with water storage capacities. However, to make urban water reuse a reality, the water management policy needs to change to facilitate the construction of required infrastructures for collection, treatment, and storage. The proposed method helps realize the urban water's hidden potential to sustain agricultural activities in the delta areas.

Modelling Treated Laundry Greywater Reuse for Irrigation Using an Affordable Treatment Method and Seed Germination Test

A potential solution in areas facing water shortages is greywater (GW) reuse. GW is produced in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens of households. With proper treatment, it can be an alternative source for the agriculture sector, which consumes approximately 70% of the world’s water. This paper represents the characterization of synthetic laundry GW fraction (LGW), its treatment and modelling of treated LGW reuse for irrigation using a seed germination test. LGW’s constant quality (pH = 8.0 ± 0.3, turbidity = 174 ± 73 NTU, BOD5 = 300 ± 60 mgL−1, TOC = 162 ± 40 mgL−1) is suitable for testing the treatment method’s efficiency. Coagulation–flocculation, applying iron(III) chloride and sand filtration as a simple treatment combination, generates good-quality irrigation water (pH = 7.27 ± 0.23, turbidity = 0.6 ± 0.4 NTU, BOD5 = 17 ± 8 mgL−1, TOC = 16 ± 6 mgL−1). Seed germination tests with different waters, and elemental analysis of water, roots, and stems of the plants were done to verify the plants’ quality. The sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) for the raw LGW (SAR = 4.06) was above the threshold (<3) for safe irrigation, thus it is not recommended for this purpose. Based on the elemental analysis results and SAR value of treated LGW (SAR = 2.84), it can potentially be used for irrigation purposes.

Assessment of heavy metal concentrations in waste water irrigated vegetables

Shortage of good quality irrigation water in present changing scenario of climate forces farmers to use waste water for growing vegetables in urban and peri-urban areas which resulted in buildup of heavy metal in the food chain. Three commonly grown vegetables of city Multan; Onion, Brinjal and Tomato irrigated with waste water were selected to examine the heavy metal contents. The vegetables samples were collected from Haji Block Industrial Estate areas irrigated by waste water due to shortage of canal water. Total thirty samples of three vegetable were collected and analyzed. The results showed that the vegetable samples were contaminated with Pb, Cd and Ni. This study suggests that in future, waste water should be used after treatment to save the health of the masses. The re-use of waste water will help in proper management of soil health and will also save the soil water resources under present climatic conditions.

ACC-deaminase producing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and biochar mitigate adverse effects of drought stress on maize growth.

Availability of good quality irrigation water is a big challenge in arid and semi arid regions of the world. Drought stress results in poor plant growth and low yield; however, the rhizobacteria, capable of producing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC)-deaminase are likely to improve crop growth and productivity under drought stress. Similarly, biochar could also ameliorate the negative impacts of drought stress. Therefore, this pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of ACC-deaminase producing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) alone and in combinations with timber-waste biochar in improving maize growth under drought stress. The ACC-deaminase producing rhizobacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Leclercia adecarboxylata were studied along with two rates (0.75 and 1.50% of the soil weight) of biochar under three moisture levels i.e., normal moisture, mild drought stress and severe drought stress. The E. cloacae in conjunction with higher rate of biochar produced a significant improvement i.e., up to 60, 73, 43, 69, 76 and 42% respectively, in grain yield plant-1, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll and carotenoids contents of maize as compared to the control under mild drought stress. Similarly, A. xylosoxidans with higher rate of biochar also enhanced grain yield plant-1, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll and carotenoids contents of maize up to 200, 213, 113, 152, 148 and 284%, respectively over control under severe drought stress. In conclusion, combination of ACC-deaminase containing PGPR, A. xylosoxidans and biochar (0.75%) proved an effective technique to improve maize growth and productivity under drought stress.

Quantification and risk assessment of heavy metal build-up in soil-plant system after irrigation with untreated city wastewater in Vehari, Pakistan.

In peri-urban areas of district Vehari, farmers are using untreated city wastewater for crop irrigation owing to the scarcity of good-quality irrigation water. This practice may pose severe environmental and health issues to local inhabitants attributed to the high levels of potentially toxic metals in wastewater. The present study evaluated the potential impacts of wastewater irrigation on metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn) build-up in the soil-plant continuum and associated health risks. In this study, wastewater (n = 17), soil (n = 108) and plant (n = 65) samples were collected from 15 peri-urban sites of three tehsils of district Vehari. Results showed that the mean concentration (mg/L) of Cd (0.02), Mn (0.25) and Fe (1.57) in wastewater samples was higher than their respective threshold values. Similarly, Cd, Mn and Fe concentration in soil was beyond the permissible limits of agricultural soil receiving wastewater irrigation. However, plants showed high accumulation of Pb, Cr and Fe than their respective limits depending on the vegetable/crop species. The health risk parameters showed that Pb and Cd are the major toxic chemical substances to human health, and the daily intake of crop plants can pose a potential health threat due to wastewater-irrigated crop consumption. Results highlighted the necessity of wastewater pretreatment to avoid the soil and vegetable contamination by wastewater irrigation and to reduce the associated health risks.

Effect of saline water irrigations on physiological, biochemical and yield attributes of dual purpose pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) varieties

A split-plot experiment with four replicates on performance of dual purpose pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) under different saline water irrigation was conducted during kharif 2015 at ICAR-CSSRI experimental farm, Nain, Panipat. The experiment was conducted with 4 main-plot treatment consisting of different levels of saline irrigation water [ Normal(~0.6 dS/m) and three levels of saline irrigation (ECiw 3, 6 and 9 dSm-1)] and two sub-plot treatments of varieties [ICMV-15111 and AVKB-19]. AVKB-19 variety was found robust and more stable than ICMV 15111 in terms of physiological attributes (relative water content, membrane injury and chlorophyll content) at all three periodic observations taken at 50 days after sowing (at 1st cut), 30 days and 60 days after 1st cut. Among biochemical attributes, total soluble sugars, proline, epicuticular wax content increased with increasing stress levels where as protein content decreased with increasing level of salinity stress. AVKB-19 variety accumulated significantly higher osmolyte content than ICMV-15111. Irrespective of salinity treatments, Na+ content (shoot and root) was recorded gradually high with ICMV-15111 than AVKB 19 at all study stages. AVKB 19 variety presented significantly higher shoot and root K+ content than ICMV 15111. Data on green fodder yield showed significant differences between two cultivars across different saline water levels. The AVKB-19 variety produced significantly higher mean green fodder yield (27.96 t/ha) as compared to ICMV-15111(25.51 t/ha). The AVKB-19 resulted into significantly maximum DM yield at the 1st as well as in 2nd cut (5.67 and 5.09 t/ha) over ICMV-15111. AVKB-19 variety produced significantly higher (16.26%) grain yield of 1.93 t/ha as compared to 1.66 t/ha in ICMV-15111. The magnitude of reduction (%) with increasing salinity over good quality irrigation water was observed 10.14, 20.74 and 37.33 with 3.0, 6.0 and 9.0 dS/m salinity water, respectively. Results concluded that AVKB-19 variety of pearl millet proved superior and may be adapted as a choice for getting higher grain as well as green fodder yield with better physiological and biochemical responses under saline environment.

Impact of drought and salinity on olive water status and physiological performance in an arid climate

Effects of drought and salinity on water status, growth and physiological activity of olive can be temporary or permanent and may impact olive production sustainability, especially in southern Mediterranean areas. Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate with high temperatures and low summer rainfall. Thus water stress problems are likely to be more severe for cultivated olive trees. In addition, the reduction in the availability of good quality irrigation water will increase the use of saline water. Olive trees are able to tolerate low soil water availability and quality and develop physiological adaptations to cope with water and salt stress. However, these adaptation strategies are limited and permanent damages can be observed. The permanent effects caused to olive leaves due to drought, and the capacity of irrigation with saline water to avoid these impacts is not well known. The aim of this work was to compare olive leaves performance after a severe drought with, and without, irrigation and to assess recovering capacities after a rainy period. Moreover, irrigation water quality effects were also evaluated. The results showed that, photosynthetic rate was very low for rainfed plants, during drought, as compared to irrigated ones. After re-watering, rainfed trees photosynthetic rate was only 55% of that of trees irrigated with fresh water. Irrigation with saline water (EC = 7.5 dS m−1) reduced drought impact by increasing photosynthesis by 55% but remained lower than that of fresh water by 23%. Thus olive leaves were unable to recover their whole photosynthetic capacity after being exposed to severe water or salt stress. Furthermore, young leaves had the same photosynthetic capacity at the beginning. This indicated that olive leaves lost permanently half of their photosynthetic activity during to drought without irrigation. The use of saline water reduced this gap to 23% as compared to fresh water.

Quality of sesame seeds produced under soil salinity levels1

ABSTRACT Sesame is considered an alternative crop for small and medium farmers in the Brazilian Northeast region. However, under the conditions of the northeastern semi-arid region, the scarcity of good quality water for irrigation may lead to a reduction in the quality of the final product. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of sesame seeds produced under levels of soil salinity. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, in a 5 × 5 factorial scheme, with three replicates, corresponding to sesame cultivars (BRS Seda, BRS G2, BRS G3, BRS G4 and BRS Anahi) and soil salinity levels with the following values for electrical conductivity: 0.6 dS m-1, 1.2 dS m-1, 1.8 dS m-1, 2.4 dS m-1 and 3.0 dS m-1. The physiological quality was characterized based on tests of germination, first germination count, germination speed index, radicle length, seed electrical conductivity, emergence, emergence speed index and seedling dry matter. BRS Seda, BRS G2 and BRS G3, cultivated under salinity levels, present seeds with a better physiological quality, demonstrating a higher tolerance to salt stress conditions. The BRS Seda and BRS G2 cultivars tolerate salinity levels of up to 2.4 dS m-1, while BRS G3 tolerates levels of up to 1.8 dS m-1. BRS G4 and BRS Anahi have the physiological quality of their seeds compromised by the increase in the soil salinity, during their production.

Spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) Response to Salinity: Nutritional Value, Physiological Parameters, Antioxidant Capacity, and Gene Expression

Scarcity of good-quality irrigation water is a major impediment to meet food demand for a growing world population. Recycled waters may be available locally more affordably, but their higher salinity is a concern. Salinity effects on spinach mineral composition, antioxidant capacity, photosynthesis, and gene expression have not been established. Spinach cv. Raccoon was greenhouse-grown and irrigated with four levels of water salinity of electrical conductivities (ECiw) of 1.4 (control) or ranging from 3.6 to 9.4 dS m−1, combined with three levels of K (3, 5, and 7 meq L−1). Irrigation waters had 2, 20, 40, and 80 meq L−1 of NaCl. After 23 treatment days, plants significantly accumulated Na and Cl in shoots and roots with increasing salinity, regardless of the K concentration in the irrigation water. Plants exhibited no visual symptoms of salt toxicity and there were no differences in shoot growth. Plants maintained their overall concentrations of mineral nutrients, physiological parameters, and oxalic acid across salinity treatments. Leaves retained all their antioxidant capacity at 20 meq L−1 NaCl, and 74% to 66% at 40 and 80 meq L−1 NaCl, respectively. Expression analyses of ten genes, that play important role in salt tolerance, indicated that although some genes were upregulated in plants under salinity, compared to the control, there was no association between Na or K tissue concentrations and gene expression. Results clearly show that spinach maintains its growth, mineral composition, and antioxidant capacity up to ECiw = 9.4 dS m−1. As this salinity is equivalent to a soil salinity of 4.5 dS m−1, spinach can tolerate over two-fold its previously-considered salinity threshold. Thus, growers can cultivate spinach using recycled, saline, waters without detriment to shoot biomass accumulation, and nutritional value.

Duckweed in Irrigation Water as a Replacement of Soybean Meal in the Laying Hens’ Diet

ABSTRACT Water lentils (Duckweed [DW])(Lemna gibba), in irrigation ponds, was evaluated by replacing two levels of soybean meal (SBM) on performance and egg quality of laying hens of 54 weeks of age. A total of 72 white Lohmann laying hens were randomly allocated into 3 treatments with 6 replicates/treatment, 4 hens/replicate in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were: control group (DW0%) with (SBM) as the main source of protein, T1 (DW10%) and T2 (DW20%), where duckweed replaced 10% and 20% of SBM for 9 weeks. No significant differences were observed among the dietary treatments in body weight change, feed conversion ratio, egg weight and mortality rate. Replacement with (DW20%) decreased (p<0.05) feed intake, egg laying rate and egg mass. The dry albuminin (DW10%) decreased (p<0.05) from 7 to 9 weeks and in the total period. Yolk pigmentation was highly (p<0.001) improved by the replacement. Blood spots were increased (p<0.05) with (DW20%). Duckweed grown in good quality irrigation water can replace up to 10% of the SBM as a source of protein without adverse effects on hen performance and egg quality in addition to profitability.

WASTE WATER TREATMENT USING SOIL BIOREACTOR

The main focus of this project is to bring the water to acceptable limits of pollution control board with green technology and economy. For this purpose, we decided to treat the sugar factory waste water using a soil bioreactor. This is a latest green technology to treat water. We are trying to bring the water up to level which becomes suitable for irrigation. The social impact of the project is that farmer will get good quality water for irrigation. Sugar industry will get a very economical and green technology to treating their waste water. So, we are expecting that sugar factories will use this technique

Effect of Silicon on the Tolerance of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Salt Stress at Different Growth Stages: Case Study for the Management of Irrigation Water.

This paper aims to determine the most tolerant growth stage(s) of wheat to salinity stress with the addition of silicon. The aim was to investigate whether saline water could be used instead of good quality water for irrigation without implicating a greater risk to crop production. Local wheat cv. Gimmiza 11 was germinated and grown in sand cultures. Four different NaCl salinity levels were used as treatments: 0, 60, 90 and 120 mM. This was in the presence of 0 and 0.78 mM Si which added as sodium meta- silicate (Na2SiO3·9H2O). Both the NaCl and Si treatments were carried out using a full strength nutrient solution that was adjusted at pH 6.0 and used for irrigation in four replications. The application of Si with the saline nutrient media significantly enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in plant leaves at the booting stage compared to the other stages. This was associated with a marked decline in the H2O2 content. At the booting stage, the Si treatment promoted CAT activity in 120 mM NaCl-stressed leaves compared to the leaves treated with only 120 mM NaCl solution. SOD showed greater prevalence at the booting stage when Si was added into the saline media, and it also revealed maximum activity at the milky stage with salinity stress. This was associated with a smaller reduction in shoot fresh and dry weights, greater reduction in the leaf Na+ content and an increase in the K+ content, which ultimately increased the cytosolic K+/Na+ ratio. Chlorophyll a and b and carotenoid (total photosynthetic pigments) were also higher at the booting stage of salt-stressed plants treated with Si compared to other stages. Accordingly, Si application enhanced the salt tolerance of wheat and reduced the inhibitory effect of Na+ and oxidative stress damage as growth proceeded towards maturity, particularly at the booting stage. This shows that saline water can be used for wheat irrigation at the booting stage (much water is consumed) when good quality water is not available for supplemental irrigation. A field study is needed to confirm the greenhouse results.

Management of tannery wastewater for improving growth attributes and reducing chromium uptake in spinach through citric acid application.

The use of chromium (Cr)-contaminated tannery wastewater for irrigation is a common practice, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. This practice is due to the shortage of good quality irrigation water for crop growth as well as the issue of tannery wastewater disposal. The current study was done to evaluate the effect of citric acid (CA) (0, 1.0, and 2.0mM) on the growth and Cr uptake by spinach irrigated with different mixtures of tap water and tannery wastewater (100:0, 50:50, and 0:100 tap water to wastewater ratio). Plants were grown for 8weeks under ambient conditions. Results showed that 50:50% tap water and wastewater increased plant height, dry weights of shoots and roots, total chlorophyll contents, and gas exchange attributes than the plants treated with only tap water or only wastewater. Increasing wastewater ratio increased electrolyte leakage (EL) in plants and enhanced the leaf key antioxidant enzyme activities as well as increased Cr contents. Foliar application of CA increased the plant dry weights, photosynthesis, and enzyme activities, whereas reduced the EL and Cr concentrations in plants than respective treatments without CA application. It can be concluded that 50:50 tap water and wastewater irrigation along with foliar CA application might be an effective strategy for increasing vegetable growth with reduced metal concentrations.