Mohamed A. M. Moursy

Magnetization of irrigation water has gained increasing attention in agriculture. Salinity stress markedly decreases caraway growth and productivity. This study aimed to determine the optimal irrigation approach using magnetic water technology for improving caraway genotype efficiency, yield, and irrigation water productivity (IWP). This investigation was conducted at the Wadi El-Natrun Research Station, under the auspices of the Water Management Research Institute, National Water Research Center, Egypt. This study included four treatments, using magnetic and non-magnetic water, applied under two different drip irrigation systems (surface and subsurface). The findings indicated that in the absence of magnetic treatment, EC values increased after irrigation at all soil depths. In contrast, the use of magnetized water consistently reduced irrigation requirements in both surface (SDI) and subsurface (SSDI) drip systems, with reductions of 619 and 681 m³/ha, respectively. Furthermore, magnetized water increased IWP by approximately 16% and 14% under SDI in the 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively, compared to non-magnetized treatments. SSDI with magnetized water also had a pronounced positive effect on overall caraway productivity per feddan, with average friut yield increasing by approximately 10.38% and essential oil yield rising by more than 24.56%. The benefit–cost ratio improved from 2.48 to 2.53 under SDI and from 2.54 to 2.62 under SSDI in the first season, highlighting increased economic efficiency. These results underscore the potential of advanced magnetic technologies and modern irrigation practices in enhancing caraway performance under saline stress. Future studies will assess different magnetic field strengths, optimal exposure time, and the best placement of the magnetization unit to maximize water use efficiency.

This study aims to enhance water use efficiency, maximize productivity, and minimize environmental impact through the implementation of sustainable agricultural systems using drip irrigation systems. It investigates the effects of biodynamic farming compared to those of organic and conventional methods over a six-year period and focuses on soil properties, water use efficiency, crop yield, and environmental and economic perspectives. Using a biodynamic farming system resulted in an average increase in water use efficiency of 1.96 and 10.67% for maize and 3.62 and 10.68% for faba bean and an increase in maize yield of 1.68 and 0.99%, while the faba bean yield reached 3.25 and 1.57% compared to the organic and conventional farming systems, respectively. The biodynamic system sequestered the highest average soil carbon of 6.16 tons/ha (which is equivalent to 22.45 tons/ha of CO₂ emissions), representing a 13% increase compared to the organic system. Additionally, the biodynamic system yielded an increase in total net profit of 5.70 and 21.66% for the maize crop and 6.72 and 22.19% for the faba bean crop compared to the organic and conventional farming systems, respectively. The farming system significantly influenced the soil carbon sequestration and organic carbon.

Fish drainage water is a non-conventional water resource that can be exploited for irrigation due to its constituents of beneficial nutrients, signifying it as environment-friendly bio-fertilizers. Limited water resources, the elevated cost of mineral fertilizers hazards as well as attaining healthy food are of paramount significance in the agriculture sector in Egypt. The utilization of bio-fertilizers is an avenue to fulfil agricultural sustainability, production of clean crops and preservation of the soil from the accumulation of heavy metals and chemicals. Hence, this study aims to find non-conventional alternative water resources to be used for irrigation of pomegranate fruit yield. Two resources of water were utilized, and three types of bio-fertilizers were applied. Results showed that, fish drainage water increased the total yield (kg/fed) by 25.2% as compared to freshwater. Chicken manure increased the total yield (kg/fed) by 22.37 and 11.89% in comparison with cattle and compost organic fertilizer under fish drainage water, respectively. The use of chicken manure yielded the highest net return (2420.79US $/fed), while compost and cattle dung were found to be (2123.52US $/fed) and (1721.66US $/fed), respectively, under using fish drainage water. The study showed that the use of fish drainage water as an organic resource would be an alternative to commercial fertilizers, which could reduce the total cost and thus increase the net profit and yield. Less dependency of commercial fertilizer would have an impact on reducing the emissions of CO₂ mitigating global warming.