Mitigation of salinity stress effects on kochia (Bassia scoparia L.) biomass productivity using biochar application.

Salinity continues to be a key factor limiting food security and agricultural sustainability in arid and semi-arid countries. Biochar has been promoted to reduce the risk of saline irrigation. In a controlled study, physiological and morphological growth factors of kochia plants that were irrigated with tap water (S1) and saline water (S2) were assessed to identify the ameliorative effects of biochar amendment to the soil at different levels (B1: 0%, B2: 2%, B3: 5%, and B4: 10%. According to our findings, salinity stress negatively affected morphological and physiological growth parameters of kochia plants by decreasing the fresh and dry weight (25% and 28%, respectively), plant height (30%), circumference (46%), total chlorophyll (51%), and relative water content (29%) when compared to the controls. Furthermore, electrolyte leakage increased considerably (19%) due to salt stress. Significant morphological and physiological growth enhancements were seen at all biochar levels in comparison to the control treatment, with the highest level increasing plant height by 55%, circumference by 76%, total chlorophyll concentrations by 121%, and relative water content by 28%. Furthermore, it resulted in a 36% reduction in the stressed plants' electrolyte leakage. The findings demonstrated biochar's benefits in reducing salinity's negative effects on kochia plants.

• This study provides new data about the specifying the impact of using biochar on salinity concentration and the growth parameters of kochia plants. This investigation demonstrated a significant results in terms of that the salinity stress relative to using biochar.• Biochar is crucial for stimulating and activating biochemical defensive mechanisms against salt stress; yet, research in this area is lacking.• Biochar has shown that it is crucial to stimulate biochemical defense mechanisms against salinity stress• It was found that using biochar as a soil supplement improved morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of the kochia plant by increasing fresh and dried weight per plant, plant height, plant circumference, chlorophyll concentrations, and relative water content while lowering electrolyte leakage in stressed kochia plants. This research will aid in increasing kochia's early development and stand establishment in saline circumstances.

Water Poverty Index: a Tool for Water Resources Management in Jordan.

In terms of water resources, Jordan is considered one of the poorest countries in the world. Water resources management is one of the available options to decrease the gap between demand and resources. Water resources management requires optimum use of the available water resources taking into consideration resources availability, resources reliability, water use pattern, in addition to the socioeconomic issues. One of the most important aspects is human behaviour which has a strong impact on water management and on the ecosystem. Therefore, there is a need to follow a sustainable approach to improve the management and the understanding of the difficulties of water issues by integrating the physical, social, economic, and environmental aspects, as well as linking water issues to poverty indicator. In this paper, Water Poverty Index (WPI) will be used as a tool for water resources management. WPI was calculated based on five parameters: resources, access to water, capacity, use, and the environment. The Jordanian water strategy targets will be used to forecast the water situation in 2025 and calculate WPI. In 2002, the WPI was calculated and found at 46.3%, in comparison with higher figures for other countries. WPI was calculated for the year 2018, and the results showed a value of 50.7%. If the national water strategy targets and improvements will be successfully implemented, by 2025, the value is expected to be increased to 56.38%. Water resources are the most sensitive component of WPI. COVID-19 increased the rate of unemployment and poverty ratio which will affect WPI negatively. It's concluded that WPI could be used as a valuable indicator to help evaluate the running plans and monitor the management performance.