Use Of Water Research Articles

Simulation of the use of rainwater in two schools in the public municipal education network in Aracaju-SE

With an increasing frequency periods of intense water scarcity are recorded in various parts of the planet. A measure that can be very efficient, is using rainwater, preserving potable water for use where it is needed, and contributing to the fight against urban floods. Considering the foregoing, this article aims to capture’s simulation and use of rainwater in two schools of the public municipal education network of Aracaju-SE, through the estimation of non-potable demand, estimation of the catchable volume, verification of the attendance of the estimated non-potable use and the impact of this action on the urban drainage system. Based on the roof area and the average’s data of precipitation, the volume of water captured by the roof was calculated, and finally, a demand for non-potable use was estimated, verifying if this demand is attended, in addition, the impact generated on the local urban drainage system was analyzed. The results indicate that: a) The Oviedo Teixeira School had an average demand of 258 m³, an average catchable volume of 326 m³ and an average reduction of 66% in the volume thrown into the drainage; b) The Anísio Teixeira School had an average demand of 60 m³, an average catchable volume of 140 m³, and an average reduction of 53% in the volume thrown into drainage. It is concluded that rainwater totally meets the estimated demand and rainwater harvesting positively impact on the drainage system, if used on a large scale.

Structured water uses in improving rhizosphere microbiota and growth of Cleistocactus strausii

Research objective: The paper presents the results of research aiming plant growth and to stimulate microbial communities in rhizosphere of Cleistocactus strausii which was watered with structured water under controlled conditions. Materials and Methods: The experiments, which began in January 2023, were conducted in the CREA-OF greenhouses in Pescia (PT), Tuscany, Italy (43°54′N 10°41′E) on Cleistocactus strausii. The plants were placed in ø12 cm pots; 30 plants per thesis, divided into 3 replicates of 10 plants each. The experimental groups were: i) group without structured water, irrigated with water and previously fertilised substrate; ii) group with structured water, previously fertilised substrate. On 20 January 2024, plant height, stem circumference, vegetative weight, root weight, root lenght, number of new suckers, microbial count in the plants (evaluation of the type of bacteria and fungi in the substrate) were measured. Results and Discussion: The experiment showed that the use of structured water can improve the vegetative and root growth of Cleistocactus strausii plants grown in pots. The treatment also resulted in an increase in plant height, stem circumference, root hair length and number of new suckers. The trial also highlighted how the use of structured water in plant growing media can increase bacterial and fungal biodiversity in terms of number and taxonomic diversity. In fact, the substrates of the treated plants showed the presence of 5 different bacterial and fungal taxa compared to the control. The presence of fewer plants affected by biotic phytopathologies is evident in the treatment with structured water. Conclusions: Specifically, structured water has been shown to promote the growth of Cleistocactus strausii, according to experimental results. Plant height, vegetative and root biomass were significantly increased. Additionally, the number of useful microorganisms found on the substrate of theses treated with structured water increased, which likely supported plant growth improvement. Plants can also be affected by microorganisms in their substrates if they are exposed to biotic or abiotic stress. These aspects consequently become very interesting for the grower who can reduce the use of water and fertilisers and increase the quality of the plants by using alternative techniques.

Hydrothermal carbonization of organic waste using faecal sludge as a water source: Response surface methodology-Box Behnken design

In this research, organic waste was subjected to hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) using faecal sludge as the water source. HTC is a sustainable method for converting organic waste into valuable hydrochar. However, the use of portable water as a reaction medium in HTC is environmentally unsustainable and increases operational costs. The aim of this study was to optimize HTC operating parameters such as residence time, temperature, and biomass to water (BTW) ratio for maximizing both higher heating value (HHV) and hydrochar yield and also to determine the effects of these operating parameters on the hydrochar properties. This study utilized a Box Behnken design within the response surface methodology to identify optimal HTC conditions. Temperature was varied between 180 and 250 °C, residence time between 30 min and 120 min, and BTW ratio between 1 and 10. Volatile matter percentage was reduced in the hydrochar compared to that of the feedstock. A progressive rise in carbon percentage and a decline in oxygen percentage were observed with increasing temperatures. Temperature and residence time were the most significant factors affecting HHV, on the other hand, temperature and BTW ratio were the most significant factors that affected hydrochar yield. Numerical optimization of the factors revealed that a maximum HHV of 28.409 MJ/kg was obtained at 250 °C, 116 min, and a 1:9 BTW ratio, while an ideal hydrochar yield of 57.491% was obtained at 242 °C, 95 min and a BTW ratio of 1:9. This study highlights the environmental sustainability of utilizing faecal sludge as a water source in HTC, presenting a promising possibility for transforming organic waste into valuable hydrochar while addressing concerns related to water use.

Enhancing pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) agriculture with magnetized-ionized brackish water and organic fertilizers: A sustainable approach to soil quality and crop yield optimization

The scarcity of freshwater, the increasing use of brackish water (B) for irrigation, and the judicious application of organic fertilizers have significant research and practical value for environmental science, water resource management, and clean production. This study investigated the combined impact of B, magnetized-ionized brackish water (MIB), and organic fertilizer on pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) growth, yield, and soil quality. Over a two-year period (2022–2023), this study explored the impacts of two types of irrigation water (B and magnetized-ionized brackish water, MIB) in combination with varying rates of water-soluble bio-organic fertilizer (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 kg/ha, corresponding to treatments 0 through 4, respectively). The findings indicated that the application of 60 kg/ha of organic fertilizer greatly improved the growth rate of pakchoi in terms of plant height, leaf area index, and fresh weight. Moreover, under MIB irrigation, the fresh weight growth rate of pakchoi was superior to that observed under B irrigation. Notably, B irrigation necessitated additional fertilizer to maintain elevated levels of alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN) and soil quality. Furthermore, the use of organic fertilizer substantially enhanced soil quality, with AN, available phosphorus (AP), organic matter (OM), and soil quality index (SQI) demonstrating a strong positive correlation (P < 0.05). Mantel test analysis showed significant correlations (P < 0.05) between soil OM, SWC, AP, and pakchoi growth and yield. According to the partial least squares path modeling analysis, the use of organic fertilizer had a relatively minor effect on the yield and quality of pakchoi under B irrigation, with path coefficients of 0.088 and 0.298, respectively. However, under MIB irrigation, organic fertilizer enhances yield and quality by improving soil quality (path coefficients of 0.914). In conclusion, the application of MIB irrigation coupled with organic fertilizer contributed to sustainable soil fertility, enhanced crop productivity, and mitigated the environmental impacts associated with conventional irrigation and fertilization methods. Our research underscores the importance of supporting agricultural research and development focused on sustainable irrigation and fertilization methods for farmers and policymakers. This integrated approach offers a harmonious solution for optimizing crop yields and enhancing water use efficiency, and the reduction of in chemical pollutants within agricultural production systems.

An assessment of the impact of traditional rice cooking practice and eating habits on arsenic and iron transfer into the food chain of smallholders of Indo-Gangetic plain of South-Asia: Using AMMI and Monte-Carlo simulation model

The current study was designed to investigate the consequences of rice cooking and soaking of cooked rice (CR) with or without arsenic (As) contaminated water on As and Fe (iron) transfer to the human body along with associated health risk assessment using additive main-effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and Monte Carlo Simulation model. In comparison to raw rice, As content in cooked rice (CR) and soaked cooked rice (SCR) enhanced significantly (at p < 0.05 level), regardless of rice cultivars and locations (at p < 0.05 level) due to the use of As-rich water for cooking and soaking purposes. Whereas As content in CR and SCR was reduced significantly due to the use of As-free water for cooking and soaking purposes. The use of As-free water (AFW) also enhanced the Fe content in CR. The overnight soaking of rice invariably enhanced the Fe content despite the use of As-contaminated water in SCR however, comparatively in lesser amount than As-free rice. In the studied area, due to consumption of As-rich CR and SCR children are more vulnerable to health hazards than adults. Consumption of SCR (prepared with AFW) could be an effective method to minimize As transmission and Fe enrichment among consumers.

Infiltration and Leaching Characteristics of Soils with Different Salinity under Fertilizer Irrigation

Salt and nutrient transport and transformations during water infiltration directly influence saline soil improvement and the efficient use of water and fertilizer resources. The effects of soil initial salinity (18.3 g/kg, 25.5 g/kg, 42.2 g/kg, 79.94 g/kg, and 165 g/kg, respectively, labeled S1 to S5) on the infiltration and leaching characteristics of water, salt, and nitrogen were analyzed via a one-dimensional vertical fertilizer infiltration experiment. Meanwhile, the estimation models of cumulative infiltration and wetting front, including the effect of soil initial salinity, were established. The results showed that, with the increase in soil initial salinity, the cumulative infiltration within the same time decreased, and the migration time of wet front to 45 cm was longer. The time required for S5 to reach the preset cumulative infiltration was more than six times that of S1, and, for the wet front migration to 45 cm, the time requirement for S5 was about four times that of S1. In the established Kostiakov model and wetting front model, the coefficients all decreased with the increase in soil initial salinity, and the test index R2 values both reached 0.999. In the Kostiakov model, coefficient K had a linear relationship with the natural logarithm of initial soil salt content, while index a had a direct linear relationship with initial soil salt content. The cumulative leachate volume decreased with the increase in soil initial salinity, and the corresponding data of S3 and S5 were reduced by 37% and 57.3%, respectively, compared with S1. The electrical conductivity values of S1, S3, and S5 were 15.4, 209.8, and 205.6 ms/cm, respectively, being affected by the initial content in soil, soil moisture transport rate, and exogenous potassium nitrate (KNO3) addition. The NO3−-N concentrations in the leachates of S1, S3, and S5 at the end of leaching were 55.26, 16.17, and 3.2 mg/L, respectively. Based on the results of this study, for soil with high initial salinity, the conventional irrigation amount (2250 m3/ha) of the general soil in the study area could not meet the requirements of leaching salt. These results can provide a reference for the formulation of irrigation and fertilization strategies for soils with different salinity and contribute to the sustainable development of saline soil agriculture and the ecological environment.

The “Halep Arki” (Aleppo Channel), a Mamluk Era Water System for Aleppo

Due to its low rainfall and limited potential for water retention, northern Syria has always had access to and control of water as one of the main features of states in the region aiming to maintain their rule. This article introduces new information about the Mamluk period water adduction system of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, which brought water to the Quwayq River, the city’s most important source of water. A newly documented part of the system, known in the Gaziantep region of Türkiye as the “Halep Arki” (the Aleppo channel), is discussed along with Mamluk-era inscriptions associated with it. During archaeological survey conducted between 2016 and 2018 in the Oguzeli region of Türkiye’s Gaziantep province, an open-air channel connected to a qanat-like tunnel with vertical shafts was documented, in addition to two inscriptions carved into the bedrock where the open-air channel met the tunnel. These inscriptions, which have been damaged over the centuries, were documented using RTI (Reflectance Transformation Imaging) technology, which allowed portions of one of them to be read. The survey showed that this Mamluk era water system was also used and expanded in the Ottoman period beginning with the conquest of the region in the 16th century. Spoil heaps show that the system was cleaned, likely during the Ottoman era. The closing of gaps in the bedrock that came about due to earthquakes or other reasons with stone walling may also have taken place in the Ottoman period. Also, in the Ottoman period, water from other springs was added to the system and various regulations on the use of water introduced. In this article, based on topographic and hydrological study of the region, we offer suggestions of the sources of the spring water that were joined to this system.

Soqia: A Responsive Web Geographic Information System Solution for Dynamic Spatio-Temporal Monitoring of Soil Water Status in Arboriculture

The optimization of irrigation in arboriculture holds crucial importance for effectively managing water resources in arid regions. This work introduces the development and implementation of an innovative solution named ‘Soqia’, a responsive WEB-GIS web application designed for real-time monitoring of the water status in arboriculture. This solution integrates meteorological data, remote sensing data, and ground sensor-collected data for precise irrigation management at the agricultural plot level. A range of features has been considered in the development of this WEB -GIS solution, ranging from visualizing vegetation indices to accessing current weather data, thereby contributing to more efficient irrigation management. Compared to other existing applications, ‘Soqia’ provides users with the current amount of water to irrigate, as well as an estimated amount for the next 8 days. Additionally, it offers spatio-temporal tracking of vegetation indices provided as maps and graphs. The importance of the Soqia solution at the national level is justified by the scarcity of water resources due to increasingly frequent and intense drought seasons for the past years. Low rainfall is recorded in all national agricultural areas. The implemented prototype is a first step toward the development of future innovative tools aimed at improving water management in regions facing water challenges. This prototype illustrates the potential of Web-GIS-based precision irrigation systems for the rational use of water in agriculture in general and arboriculture in particular.

Viral hepatitis-induced acute liver failure.

Viral hepatitis-induced acute liver failure (ALF) is a preventable cause for liver-related mortality worldwide. Viruses are the most common cause for ALF in developing nations in contrast to the west, where acetaminophen is largely responsible. Viruses may be hepatotropic or affect the liver secondary to a systemic infection. In tropical countries, infections such as leptospirosis, scrub typhus and malaria can mimic the symptoms of ALF. Differentiating these ALF mimics is crucial because they require etiology-specific therapy. Treatment of viral hepatitis-induced ALF is two-pronged and directed towards providing supportive care to prevent organ failures and antiviral drugs for some viruses. Liver transplantation (LT) is an effective modality for patients deteriorating despite adequate supportive care. Early referral and correct identification of patients who require a transplant are important. Liver support devices and plasma exchange have evolved into "bridging modalities" for LT. Preventive strategies such as hand hygiene, use of clean and potable water and inclusion of vaccines against viral hepatitis in the national program are simple yet very effective methods focusing on the preventive aspect of this disease.

Assessment of Groundwater Potential Zones Utilizing Geographic Information System-Based Analytical Hierarchy Process, Vlse Kriterijumska Optimizacija Kompromisno Resenje, and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution Methods: A Case Study in Mersin, Türkiye

The indiscriminate use of surface water has heightened the demand for groundwater supplies. Therefore, it is critical to locate potential groundwater sources to develop alternative water resources. Groundwater detection is tremendously valuable, as is sustainable groundwater management. Mersin, in southern Türkiye, is expected to confront drought shortly due to increased population, industry, and global climate change. The groundwater potential zones of Mersin were determined in this study by GIS-based AHP, VIKOR, and TOPSIS methods. Fifteen parameters were used for this goal. The study area was separated into five categories. The results show that the study area can be divided into “Very High” zones (4.98%, 5.94%, 7.96%), followed by “High” zones (10.89%, 10.32%, 16.50%), “Moderate” zones (60.68%, 52.41%, 51.56%), “Low” zones (21.28%, 28.53%, 20.90%), and “Very Low” zones (2.18%, 2.80%, 3.07%) in turn. Data from 60 wells were used to validate potential groundwater resources. The ROC-AUC technique was utilized for this. It was seen that the performance of the VIKOR model is better than that of the AHP and TOPSIS (76.5%). The findings demonstrated that the methods and parameters used are reliable for sustainable groundwater management. We believe that the study will also help decision makers for this purpose.

From Drop to Delta: Optimizing Water Footprint for Food Security

Due to population growth and decreasing freshwater resources, many countries may face a decline in their ability to be self-sufficient in food production. The issue of freshwater contamination and scarcity needs to be addressed globally because a sizeable majority of the world's population lives in areas where water scarcity occurs for at least one month every year. The world economy plays a role in localized water contamination and depletion, especially as water is increasingly used for exporting goods. The idea of water footprints is a practical way to gauge how much water is needed to produce goods and services and to promote sustainability in industrial and food production. The use of water for various reasons can result in the appropriation of valuable data that can be used to examine the environmental, social, and economic effects and advance conversations about fair and sustainable water use. The idea of a water footprint ultimately aims to encourage wise and effective water use.

Earth's Long-Wave Infrared: Review and Study of Scalable Applications

The Earth's infrared energy storage is substantial, and its large-scale utilization could effectively ameliorate the greenhouse effect on Earth. Several applications of utilizing Earth's infrared radiation for cooling and power generation are summarized based on existing literature. Building upon this foundation, the use of water as an excellent energy storage medium is proposed, and a long-wave energy storage system is designed. This system can harness the immense energy density of long-wave infrared radiation with fixed bandwidth or wavelength. A comprehensive study on large-scale application is outlined in four aspects, leveraging the energy storage and radiation advantages of the system: (a) Long-wave infrared is efficiently transported using hollow glass infrared fibers for room cooling and heating. This addresses the issues of separate terminals for capillary radiation air conditioning, high costs, and maintenance challenges. (b) Building on existing literature, taking Hainan as an example, the utilization of a temperature difference of approximately 15 °C between the lowest and highest temperatures in a day for power generation is suggested. (c) The composition and structure of planar antennas are derived, and parameter selection for rectifying diodes is proposed based on radiation fluctuation theory and antenna theory. This lays a theoretical and practical foundation for converting long-wave radiation waves using rectifying antennas. (d) The long-wave radiation quantum theory is utilized to propose the concept of manufacturing components that can directly convert energy from long-wave radiation. In each of these four aspects of large-scale utilization, the emphasis is on water's excellent insulation, storage, and radiation properties, presenting new perspectives for the widespread utilization of Earth's infrared and offering a quick pathway for humanity to explore new energy sources and mitigate the greenhouse effect on Earth, facilitating a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

Anaerobic digestion of poultry litter: technical aspects to improve process performance and water saving

In order to mitigate the significant electricity consumption in poultry farming the anaerobic digestion (AD) has been adopted. This study aimed to obtain information about the dilution, solid/liquid separation, mass balance, and reuse of the biofertilizer (recycle) to dilute poultry litter and to promote water saving while generating an organic fertilizer richer in nutrients. Five dilutions (1:4, 1:6, 1:8, 1:10, and 1:12) were submitted to mass balance test followed or not by solid/liquid separation on a sieve. The fractions of the dilutions 1:6 to 1:10 (poultry litter:water, w:v) were subjected to a test to determine the biochemical methane potential, according to the VDI-4630 standards. The highest potential biogas production was obtained in the liquid fraction of the dilution 1:6, reaching 179.4 L CH4 kg−1 VSadded. This condition was subjected to a semi-continuous feeding to evaluate the biofertilizer to replace water to dilute poultry litter (recycle). The results showed that the replacement of 40% of the dilution water by the biofertilizer had no inhibitory effect on the anaerobic digestion process, reaching values of 236 and 226 L CH4 kg−1 VSadded without and with the recycle, respectively. The decrease in the use of water and an increase in nutrients contained in the effluent (biofertilizer) is reflected in a 66% larger area for corn production. A detailed study of economic feasibility is essential for decision-making on investment and its recovery (payback).Thus, the liquid fraction of the dilution 1:6 with the recycle allowed a 40% saving in the use of clean water for poultry litter dilution, providing a biofertilizer with higher amounts of nitrogen, one of the nutrients most demanded by most crops.

Impact of the use of water from fish farming in the irrigation of pepper crops (Capsicum annuumL.) in the greenhouse in the Biskra region

ABSTRACT The conservation of water and its rational management in crop irrigation is important for sustainable agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly with the appearance of the effects of climate change in these regions. The paper reports a study of the impact of using water from fish farming in the irrigation of pepper crops grown in greenhouses under salinity conditions. The results obtained show that the use of fish water in irrigation improves the vegetative growth of plants and their fruit yields. It also has a beneficial effect on the soil by increasing its level of organic matter, total Nitrogen and other nutrients. The value that this work adds is the conservation of the soil by improving its quality and the reduction of water pollution by reusing this wastewater in irrigation. The reduced use of synthetic fertilisers facilitates the application of organic farming. These advantages benefit the environment and consumers of the crops.

Microbial contamination in surface water in urban lakes of Hanoi city, Vietnam

ABSTRACT Urbanisation and demographic growth are putting pressure on surface water quality in many large cities. Microbial water quality, as determined by the presence of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) was investigated in 15 urban lakes in the inner city of Hanoi, Vietnam from 2021 to 2023. FIB (total coliforms, TC and Escherichia coli, EC) numbers exceeded the allowed values of the Vietnam technical regulation for surface freshwater QCVN 08-MT:2015/BTNMT in most studied lakes. High domestic sewage discharge from residential areas and surface runoff from surrounding areas were the major sources of lake water pollution. High FIB numbers in these lakes mean that the use of water for market gardening or leisure activities or the consummation of fish and other aquatic products from these lakes may pose a risk to the population. These results provide the base of a dataset on water quality, which is a necessary precursor for any scientifically based management plan.

Long‐term fracture conductivity in tight reservoirs

AbstractReservoir stimulation using hydraulic fracturing technology is one of the most common stimulation measures to develop tight oil and gas reservoirs, and the conductivity of fractures after fracturing is the key to the stimulation effect of oil fields. In this paper, the laboratory simulation system of fracture conductivity is used to study the long‐term fracture conductivity under the displacement of formation water and fracturing fluid. The experimental results show that the fracture conductivity decreases with the increase of displacement time under the displacement of formation water and fracturing fluid, and the decrease of fracture conductivity under the displacement of fracturing fluid with time is greater than that of formation water displacement because of the plugging effect of fracturing fluid residue on pore channels. The use of formation water and fracturing fluid circulation displacement can delay the decline rate of conductivity with time. The conductivity increases with the increase of sand concentration, proppant particle size, and elastic modulus, and decreases with the increase of closure pressure. In addition, by studying the influence of elastic modulus on fracture width, it is found that the smaller the elastic modulus is, the more serious the embedding phenomenon of proppant is, and the smaller the fracture width is.

Coal Mine Drainage as a Source of Drinking and Industrial Water—The Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland

Water is one of the most important resources found on Earth, essential for all forms of life. Both the quantity and quality of water resources are crucial for the health of the population and for economic sectors, making water a factor in determining a society’s standard of living. Mine water serves as an appealing source of both drinking and technological water. Regardless of the exploitation method, it must be pumped to the surface and, usually, treated to meet environmental standards. In most cases, it is discharged to rivers. In this article, we present a model of the use of mine water from three pumping stations of decommissioned coal mines in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin—Jan Kanty, Saturn, and Boże Dary. Water from these pumping stations is characterized by good qualitative and quantitative parameters. The results of the physico-chemical composition analyses carried out in the years 2012–2022 did not reveal any excessive amounts of toxic components or treatment difficulties. Given the long operational lifespan of these pumping stations and their existing water extraction infrastructure, they emerge as promising sources of both potable and industrial water supply, demanding minimal treatment efforts.

Implementation of good manufacturing practices (GMP) to improve the quality of smoked fish (Scombercolias)

For several years, fish smoking has been the widely adopted processing method among artisanal fish smokers located along the coastal zones in many parts of West Africa including Ghana. However, several issues pertaining to biochemical and microbiological contaminants still remain, mainly because of the suboptimal, unhygienic fish handling during the processing. To help curtail the problem, we developed and implemented a simple good manufacturing practice (GMP) system for experimentation at two local fish smoking facilities (Facility A, FA; Facility B, FB) to assess the effectiveness for improving the quality of smoked fish. The implementation of GMP did not affect the physical properties of the smoked fish but improved the peroxide value, total volatile base nitrogen, polyaromantic hydrocarbons and histamine levels. The total aerobic counts decreased from 3.96 ± 0.12 cfu/g to 1.52 ± 0.28 cfu/g (FA) or from 4.10 ± 0.2 cfu/g to 1.85 ± 0.85 cfu/g, (FB). The coliforms and Escherichia coli decreased respectively from 1.69 ± 0.12 cfu/g and 1.15 ± 0.21 cfu/g (FA) and from 1.74 ± 0.37 cfu/g and 1.24 ± 0.37 cfu/g, (FB) to below detection (no observed colony) after introducing the single use of potable water, use of smoking oven and fish core temperature of 108.1 ± 7.5 °C and 82.5 ± 3.9 °C, respectively for 2 h, wearing of safety apparels, drying and cooling of smoked fish under nets, and the use of waste disposal bins. The results show that sensitization and training of fish smokers in GMP may be relevant for improving the microbial and overall quality of smoked fish.

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.

Sorghum Response to Supplementary Irrigation at Different Growth Stage in Rain-Fed Agriculture for Increasing Yield and Water Productivity at Raya Valley

In arid and semi-arid ecosystems, the efficient use of water becomes increasingly important because water is a crucial limiting factor for increased food and fibre production to supply an ever-growing number of people. A field experiment was conducted in three consecutive seasons three year in Mekhoni Agricultural Research Centre, Raya valley, to investigate with the objective of to evaluate the influence of supplemental irrigation applied at different growth stages on the yield, to prevent sorghum failure caused by less rain water and to maximize the water productivity of the sorghum. The experiment was laid out in a random complete block design (RCBD) consisting of eleven supplemental irrigation treatments (one supplemental irrigation during initial stage, one supplemental during development stage, one supplemental during mid-stage, one supplemental during Late stage, one supplemental during initial and development stage, one supplemental during initial and mid stage, one supplemental during initial and late stage, one supplemental during development and late stage, one supplemental during development and late stage and rain-fed (with no SI) as a control treatment with three replications. The result was showed a significant difference on plant height, panicle length, grain, biomass yield and water productivity sorghum. The highest grain yield was obtained from the treatment supplement one SI at development and mid stage and followed by one SI at mid stage and at late stage. Whereas, the lowest grain yield of sorghum was observed from treatment with rainfed (non-supplementary). It is concluded that in the study area the rain fed amount were very inadequate and supplementary irrigation will help to increase crop productivity, minimize crop failure due to the low rainfed. The experiment showed that supplementary irrigation offers a great potential for improving crop production in Raya valley.