Evaluating the responses of some wheat landraces and cultivars cultivated locally in Saudi Arabia to three sources of irrigation water

This study was aimed to investigate the response of some wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) landraces to three irrigation sources, freshwater (FW), well water (WW), and treated municipal wastewater (TMW), regarding the impact on growth, yield, and grains elements contents. The results showed that the various wheat landraces irrigated with treated wastewater were significantly taller (117.3 cm) with multi tillers (22 tiller plant-1), had maximum spikes per plant (2.6), and longer weighty spikes (14.5 cm & 12.1 g). Landraces L1(Burr), L2 (Baldy Burr), C7 (Yecora Rojo), had maximum tillers, L4 (Alssamaa Burr), L5 (Bahaal Burr), L7 (Yecora Rojo) had more spikes per plant and the longer weighty spikes were recorded in L5 Baldy Burr, L1(Burr), heavy spikes were reported in L5 (Bahaal Burr) and L1(Burr). Moreover, these landraces had the highest yield per plant and 1000 grains weight (49.8 g, 12.5 g) respectively. The N, P, K, and Mg contents were increased under TMW, and their levels in landraces and cultivars in order are 3>L2>L4>L5>L1>C6>C7. Even Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn levels were higher in various landraces irrigated with TMW, however, L3, L2, and L4 had maximum contents of all microelements. TMW irrigation enhanced growth, yield, and grain quality in terms of essential elements. The irrigation of landraces L1, L4, L5 with TMW may be a feasible alternative for sustainable wheat production and safe water in arid regions such as Saudi Arabia.

Soil emendation with nano-fungal chitosan for heavy metals biosorption.

The bioremediation of water and soil, from heavy metal (HM) contamination, is a continuing worldwide demand. Chitosan, as a promising bioactive polymer, was produced from grown fungal (Cunninghamella elegans) mycelia and had a molecular weight of 112 kDa and a deacetylation degree of 87%. Sodium tripolyphosphate was applied for the synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles (NCt) from fungal chitosan (Cts); the particle size of produced NCt was in range of 5-45 nm. The produced biopolymers were used for HM absorption, Pb2+ and Cu2+ at concentration range of 100-300 ppm, from aqueous solution and soil matrix. Both Cts and NCt had high adsorption capacity toward the examined HM, with higher affinity as adsorbents to Pb2+ than to adsorb Cu2+ from water or after amendment of soil matrix. The produced NCt particles were highly effective than bulk Cts for the remediation and biosorption of contaminant metals, Pb2+ and Cu2+. Both Cts and NCt could be effectually applied as amendments in HM-contaminated soils for their bioremediation.