BackgroundTraditional agro-systems in arid areas are a bulwark for preserving soil stability and fertility, in the sight of “reverse desertification”. Nevertheless, the impact of desert farming practices on the diversity and abundance of the plant associated microbiome is poorly characterized, including its functional role in supporting plant development under drought stress.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe assessed the structure of the microbiome associated to the drought-sensitive pepper plant (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivated in a traditional Egyptian farm, focusing on microbe contribution to a crucial ecosystem service, i.e. plant growth under water deficit. The root system was dissected by sampling root/soil with a different degree of association to the plant: the endosphere, the rhizosphere and the root surrounding soil that were compared to the uncultivated soil. Bacterial community structure and diversity, determined by using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis, differed according to the microhabitat, indicating a selective pressure determined by the plant activity. Similarly, culturable bacteria genera showed different distribution in the three root system fractions. Bacillus spp. (68% of the isolates) were mainly recovered from the endosphere, while rhizosphere and the root surrounding soil fractions were dominated by Klebsiella spp. (61% and 44% respectively). Most of the isolates (95%) presented in vitro multiple plant growth promoting (PGP) activities and stress resistance capabilities, but their distribution was different among the root system fractions analyzed, with enhanced abilities for Bacillus and the rhizobacteria strains. We show that the C. annuum rhizosphere under desert farming enriched populations of PGP bacteria capable of enhancing plant photosynthetic activity and biomass synthesis (up to 40%) under drought stress.Conclusions/SignificanceCrop cultivation provides critical ecosystem services in arid lands with the plant root system acting as a “resource island” able to attract and select microbial communities endowed with multiple PGP traits that sustain plant development under water limiting conditions.

Uranium (as a hazardous and radioactive element) removal from wastewater requires reliable technology and proper functional materials. Carbon fiber species that are produced from agricultural solid waste can be a proper type of low-cost adsorbents for wide uses in wastewater treatment. In this work, two carbon fiber species labeled CF-RH and CF-SCB were synthesized from two different agricultural wastes, namely, rice husk and sugarcane bagasse respectively. The structural properties of carbon fiber were verified by XRD, FTIR, and Raman, spectroscopy. Both nitrogen-adsorption–desorption BET surface area and TEM were performed to figure out the textural characteristics of the presented sorbents. The charges on surfaces of the fibers were detected via zeta potential analysis. The prepared carbon fibers were applied for uranium removal from aqueous solution by adsorption technique. The acquired data display that the equilibrium time was 240 min. The results of adsorption process are nicely fitted with pseudo-second-order-kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. The maximum sorption capacity was 21.0 and 29.0 mg/g for CF-RH and CF-SCB, respectively. Sorption thermodynamics declare that adsorption of U(VI) is an endothermic, spontaneous, and feasible process. The picked findings of this study could emphasize high reliability of the introduced adsorbents in efficient tackling of water contaminants.

Biomass-based solid residuals can be of serious hazardous environmental impacts if left for natural degradation. Thus, the proper utilization of such residuals is highly recommended. Therefore, one of solid residuals: namely, corn shell, was used in this study to synthesize carbon species (labeled as CS-C) as an adsorbent for efficient removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. The structural properties and the textural characteristics of the prepared carbon species were verified. The present charges on the carbon surface were acquired via zeta potential analysis. The performance of CS-C, as adsorbent, was investigated through batch technique. Adsorption isotherm was optimally described using the Langmuir model reflecting that the removal process occurs at the homogenous surface of CS-C through a chemical reaction (surface complexation mechanism). The equilibrium state for the sorption process was reached after 4 h of interaction. The kinetic studies revealed the nice fit of heavy metal removal process to Pseudo-second-order model and the thermodynamics is matched to endothermic, spontaneous, and feasible sorption process. The displayed results could emphasize the high potentiality of CS-C to act as a remarkable sorbent for efficient tackling of water contaminants.

el-Khaimah, Qalyubiah Governorate. The aim of the current investigation was to study the impact of three planting dates (18-Dec, 7-Jan and 27-Jan), three irrigation levels at 60, 80 and 100% of irrigation water requirements (IR) and their interaction on potato crop productivity. 9 treatments were obtained by combination of different planting dates and irrigation levels.Planting dates were arranged as the main plots, while, irrigation levels were arranged in the sub plots, The obtained results indicated that the highest tuber yield was obtained by the first planting date (18 Dec.) during both studied seasons, While, The highest plant growth parameters and tuber yield per plant were obtained by 100% followed by 80% irrigation level during both seasons. However, the interaction effectindicated that first planting date (18-Dec) combined with 100 % irrigation level gave the highest potato tuber productivity than the other treatments, whereas the interaction of first planting date 18-(Dec) combined with 80% irrigation level gave the best for water use efficiency compared to the other treatments during both tested seasons.

The present study measured the concentrations of heavy metals (Zn, Ni, Pb, Cu, Cr, and Cd) in soils as well as vegetables (faba bean, cabbage, onion, garlic, zucchini, capsicum, eggplant, potato, okra and green bean) irrigated with wastewater in the western part of Giza governorate, Egypt. Human health risks to consumers of these vegetables were performed. The study revealed the considerable variations in metal contents of water, soil and vegetables samples. Generally, wastewater of the study drains was not suitable for irrigation purpose according to the bacteriological guidelines. Almost all the physicochemical parameters and heavy metals concentrations of water and soil samples were compatible with the recommended permissible limits of irrigation and agricultural use, respectively. Vegetable species showed remarkable difference in metals concentrations of various plant portion, Zn showed highest tissue concentrations followed by Cu. Heavy metals concentrations in different edible portions decreased in a descending order as Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd with low translocation values (< 1) for studied vegetables except for faba bean. The health risk index (RI) for humans was low if edible portions from studied vegetables are consumed, in particular Cd, Cr, Pb, and Ni whose concentration values were relatively higher than the health based guidelines values. Considering the probable health risk associated with the consumption of contaminated vegetables, it is important to regularly monitor the levels of metals in wastewater, soils and vegetables in the studied area.

In the current research, wheat grains were used to study the effect of grain soaking and sprouting using tap water and saline water (NaCl solution) on sprout growth, proximate analysis, minerals content, anti-nutritional and antioxidant compounds of sterilized grains (soaked for 0.33h) and soaked grains for imbibition (12h) and sprouted grain for 24h old. Results revealed that the longest radical of 24h old wheat sprout was observed at 2000 ppm NaCl, and shortest was observed at 4000 ppm NaCl. Soaked wheat grains (12h) for imbibition recorded the highest moisture content (10.2 to 10.9%) while soaked for 20 min (0.33h) in calcium hypochlorite for sterilization recorded medium content (8.8 to 9.9%) and the lowest one recorded in 24h old wheat sprouts (6.9 to 7.2%). The low moisture content the high total carbohydrate, total fats and energy and vice versa. Soaked grains for sterilization period (0.33 h) and imbibition (12h) increased zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and calcium (Ca) while non-sterilized only potassium (K). Tap water increased sprout magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn) content while saline water increased sprout magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) content. Grain sprouting was effective in reducing phytic acid, oxalate and alkaloids anti-nutrient in wheat sprouts especially when using sterilized grains. Soaking non sterilized grains for imbibition (12h) in saline water contained higher total phenol, flavonoids and total antioxidant. Etiolated wheat sprouts contained lower total flavonoids and antioxidant compared with soaked grains in saline water.

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Pea sprouts as kind of sprout vegetables, are considered to be more health-beneficial and nutritive. The effect of sprouting pea seeds at open field and laboratory on the green sprouts yield characters and their nutritional values were studied. Result revealed that number of shoots, fresh and dry yield of pea sprout per square meter was increased significantly under laboratory condition over open filed. Protein content was found to increase in green pea sprout at laboratory as compared with open field. Conversely trend was occurred for carbohydrate and lipids. Sprout grown under open filed had the highest content of P, K, Ca, Mg and Fe compared with laboratory ones. On the other hand, higher vitamin E and C (853.6 and 51.1 mg/100g, respectively) was observed as grown under open filed than laboratory (189.1 and 48.6 mg/100g, respectively). The effect of partial replacement of wheat flour with 12.5% and 25% of green and etiolated pea sprout flour on the sensory evaluation and amino acids profile of pea pie were also studied. Supplemented pie with etiolated pea sprout with 12.5% or 25% was more preferable by panelists than green sprout flour and nearly to control. The present work confirmed that the recommended supplementation of refined wheat flour should be up to 12.5% of pea sprout flour. Values of protein efficiency ratio (PER) of pea sprout pies were ranged from 1.06 to 1.69 which higher than control (0.76). The essential amino acid index (EAAI) of pea pie supplemented with 25% green pea sprouts was useful for food since the value is above 80%. Also, the biological value exhibited the highest value in the same pie. However, highest nutritional index (NI) was obtained from pie supplemented with 25% green pea sprouts (23.46%) over other treatments. Therefore, combination of wheat flour with pea sprout flour can be recommended for high nutritional quality for human, Since it have good protein quality because the amino acid compositions of wheat and peas complement each other, producing a balanced mixture of amino acids.