This study utilized a Water–Energy–Food (WEF) nexus approach to evaluate the sustainability performance of various olive cultivation systems in Tunisia, contrasting traditional cultivation (TCIF) with several intensive methods (ICIF 1, ICIF 2, and SICIF). Key indicators included crop yield, water usage and footprint, energy performance indicators (efficiency, productivity, specific energy, and net energy gain), twenty-two environmental impacts, gross farm income, and the eco-efficiency index. Results revealed that intensive systems yield 4.9 times more olives than traditional practices (10,600 kg/ha vs. 2,159 kg/ha), but this productivity comes at a cost: intensive systems require up to 6.5 times more water, consuming 3,600 m³/ha compared to 550 m³/ha for traditional methods. Despite the higher yields, traditional systems show superior water use efficiency, producing 3.93 kg of product per cubic meter of water, raising concerns about the sustainability of intensive methods in arid regions like Tunisia due to their larger water footprint. This study also found that energy input, specific energy consumption, and energy output significantly increase with intensification, but energy use efficiency and productivity fluctuate, suggesting an inconsistent relationship between energy input and output. A multi-indicator Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) using the ReCiPe 2016 method quantified intensity (impact per hectare) and efficiency (impact per ton of product), revealing that emission intensity rises with intensification while production efficiency varies. An aggregated single-score indicator demonstrated that, regardless of the adopted functional unit (mass- or land-based), intensive systems exhibit higher environmental impacts despite their greater economic returns (EUR 3,871 to EUR 5,862 per hectare) compared to traditional systems, which generate EUR 1,193.90 per hectare. An eco-efficiency index indicates that traditional olive production methods outperform intensive systems regarding resource use relative to environmental impact. Overall, while irrigation-based intensification enhances productivity, it raises significant concerns about water use, energy consumption, and sustainability, emphasizing the need for balanced management strategies that optimize productivity and resource efficiency.

In recent years, escalating concerns regarding food security, the effects of climate change, and the strain on conventional water resources have compelled agriculture to investigate alternative water sources. Desalinated seawater (DSW) has emerged as a viable method for enhancing irrigation resources, especially in arid regions such as Spain and Israel, where it is increasingly embraced by farmers. Nonetheless, initial experiences in these domains demonstrate the intricate agronomic, economic, and environmental issues linked to the utilization of DSW in agriculture. The use of DSW can modify thesoil salinity and nutrient availability, requiring customized crop management strategies to maintain yields. The substantial initial investment and continuous operational expenses of desalination facilities necessitate thorough evaluation in relation to the prospective long-term advantages and cost reductions in water-scarce areas. Environmental issues are centered around the energy-intensive characteristics of desalination and the disposal of brine leftovers, which could adversely affect adjacent ecosystems if not managed sustainably. Confronting these difficulties requires novel research approaches and a comprehensive strategy for water management, incorporating sophisticated water treatment technology, optimal irrigation systems, and sustainable agricultural practices. By employing these tactics, DSW could substantially impact agriculture; however, it must be used with meticulous attention to agronomic, economic, and environmental concerns to guarantee long-term sustainability.

Due to their general accessibility, affordability, environmental friendliness, and reduced side effects as compared to chemical treatments, herbal plants are becoming increasingly popular as a substitute for wastewater treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the antibacterial capabilities of essential oils derived from Origanum syriacum, citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus), and their combination with a selection of bacteria present in wastewater.

Hydrodistillation techniques were used to extract the essential oils, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to determine the chemical composition of the oils.

The essential oils' chemical profiles varied, according to a preliminary examination. Citronella oil was mainly made up of geraniol (2.9%) and citronellal (32.6%), whereas Origanum syriacum oil had a significant concentration of carvacrol (79.2%) among its constituents. Antioxidant activity was measured for their ethanolic extracts; citronella showed better antioxidant activity with a lower half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 131.7μg/ml, while the IC50 for oregano was 180.9 μg/ml. Regarding the antibacterial effect, oregano oil showed minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 2.5% against all the tested bacteria except for C. freundii, which had an MIC of 5%. In contrast, citronella oil revealed an MIC of 1.25% for all the bacteria except E. coli, which had an MIC of 2.5%. This indicates that Origanum syriacum essential oil has a stronger antibacterial effect than java citronella essential oil.

The ability of Origanum syriacum and Java citronella essential oils to display antibacterial properties makes them suitable natural agents for wastewater treatment, as highlighted in this study. Additional research, including the clarification of their mechanisms of action, should be carried out to confirm their usefulness in wastewater treatment systems.

The consumption of river water for agricultural purposes relies, among other aspects, on its microbiological quality, which is determined based on the concentration of thermotolerant coliforms it contains. The presence of antibiotic-resistant coliforms, despite not being a criterion considered by federal or state laws, is a serious concern. These bacteria cause difficult-to-treat illnesses and deaths if directly ingested by animals through water or if indirectly ingested through contaminated vegetables and grains. The present study evaluated the concentration of thermotolerant coliforms, and their resistance to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline, in four rivers in rural areas of Santa Catarina, Brazil, that are used for animal consumption and crop irrigation. Analyses were carried out bimonthly for one year, between 2022 and 2023. Data were subjected to an analysis of variance and means were separated by the Tukey test. The average number of thermotolerant coliforms in all rivers was 709 ^. 100 mL^-1, which corresponds to Water Class 2 according to Brazilian legislation. Therefore, this water can be used for animal consumption and irrigation, in accordance with the way this water is used by the local population. However, 41% of coliform isolates were resistant to ampicillin, while 10% were resistant to tetracycline and ciprofloxacin. Resistant isolates were found in all rivers and on all sampling dates, which indicates the high frequency and abundant spread of these microorganisms. The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in water can cause serious human and animal health problems if this water consumed without treatment. Considering the environment, the irrigation of vegetables and crops with resistant bacteria may also cause negative impacts on plant and soil microbial communities, leading to compromised ecosystem functions. We highlight the importance of monitoring the resistant bacteria in water, the need for environmental conservation programs, and the rational and correct use of antibiotics in order to minimize the occurrence of microbial resistance.

Advances in irrigation technologies are crucial in addressing water scarcity and enhancing agricultural productivity. This systematic review evaluates the effects of precision irrigation systems, such as variable-rate irrigation (VRI) and smart irrigation systems, on plant physiology and crop yields. VRI, which adjusts water application based on spatial variability in soil and crop conditions, has been shown to improve water use efficiency by up to 27% and increase crop yields by 10-15%, especially in semi-arid regions. However, high installation costs, estimated at USD 50-100 per acre, and the need for specialized knowledge limit its large-scale adoption in developing regions. Smart irrigation systems, leveraging AI and IoT technologies, optimize irrigation schedules using real-time data from soil moisture sensors, weather forecasts, and crop growth models. Studies have demonstrated a reduction in water consumption by up to 35% while maintaining or increasing yields by 8-12%. Despite these advantages, the reliance on uninterrupted internet connectivity and the complexity of system management pose significant barriers, particularly in rural areas. Both systems have been shown to enhance root development, nutrient uptake, and overall plant health, leading to improved crop resilience to environmental stressors. On the downside, their implementation requires substantial initial investments, regular maintenance, and skilled labor, which can deter small-scale farmers. In conclusion, while modern irrigation technologies significantly contribute to sustainable water use and improved crop performance, widespread adoption remains a challenge due to economic and technical constraints. Future research and policy support should focus on making these technologies more accessible and scalable, particularly for resource-constrained regions facing the dual challenges of climate change and food security.

Water resources are the fundamental pillar of every nation, as they represent the essential vital element for survival and are a determining factor in the development process, given their importance in all important sectors (agriculture, tourism, etc.). This proves particularly true following the global warning about the severe shortage of reserves of this resource, due to various constraints and factors, especially in the countries of the South. This could potentially lead to tensions and armed conflicts over these resources.

This article focuses on managing irrigation water resources in urban areas of Morocco, with a particular emphasis on the city of Marrakech. Marrakech has long been known for its ideal water system (Khettaras, Sequaya...), especially its irrigation system, which has contributed to its international reputation and established it as a historic metropolis and a green city (garden city). This research adopts a mixed methodology (qualitative and quantitative), as well as historical, analytical–descriptive, and systemic approaches. The study's results emphasize that the city faces a significant deficit in irrigation water, with an annual shortage of 184 million cubic meters. This deficit is attributed to the excessive consumption of surface and groundwater for irrigating agricultural lands (knowing that 47% of agricultural lands are irrigated) and the watering of public and private green spaces (which consume 26.5 million cubic meters). A deterioration has also been observed in several water resources considered heritage assets (80% have been destroyed), due to the interaction of various factors, including natural impacts such as climate change, low precipitation, etc., and human factors like population growth, the expansion of human activities, and urbanization with a more technical than patrimonial dimension. This study proposes innovative and sustainable solutions for rational water management, aiming to enhance the city's resilience and ensure the sustainability of its hydraulic and cultural heritage.

The Tagragra-Akka region, located in the Moroccan Anti-Atlas, is mainly composed of crystalline and crystallophyllian rocks. In this area, agricultural activities are primarily based on oasis cropping, which is essentially irrigated by surface water resources. This area belongs to an arid/semi-arid climate and has been living, over the last few decades, with a very severe drought. This has led to a water irrigation shortage and made groundwater a unique alternative source. However, investigating potential groundwater zones is financially demanding and time-consuming. Hence, remote sensing data and GISs are essential tools for precisely determining these zones. We used these tools to study fracturing and its spatial relationship with potential groundwater zones. Therefore, a Landsat-8 image was acquired and processed to extract three pieces of information, namely a fracturing map using the Sobel filtering technique, the fracturing density, and a lithology Support Vector Machine classifier. The main concept of using fracturing network mapping is of fundamental importance in hydrogeological investigations since they represent the preferred route for the infiltration and circulation of groundwater. Additionally, we used an image from a digital elevation model (DEM) to generate the slope, hydrological network, and drainage density maps. The resulting raster maps were integrated into a GIS workflow to identify places with high-potential groundwater resources. This approach made it possible to identify the most promising zones for establishing wells to provide sufficient water irrigation. The produced maps could be used for future hydrogeological investigation campaigns. This study also highlights interest in remote sensing and GISs to aid in resolving problems related to drought and water irrigation management in zones exposed to climate change effects. This approach could also be used in areas suffering from similar issues.

The inland water bodies in the Doukkala plain are mainly water surface bodies locally known as Dayas. These Dayas are of vital socioeconomic and ecological significance. Several years of drought have resulted in a water shortage in this area. The current management of water resources lacks relevance. Sustainable water management has become a necessity and therefore must involve monitoring and mapping these Dayas. Remote sensing technologies play an important role in completing this task. In this study, we calibrated the multi-band water index (MBWI) to our study area using three weighting factors (w = 2, 3, and 4) with thresholds selected iteratively using two distinct step values (0.1 and 0.01). To make it easier to apply the indices to different situations, we utilized the average of the ideal thresholds as the single index threshold for each coefficient. The computation was carried out using Landsat images on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, and then validation was carried out by collecting ground data with Google Earth Pro from very-high-resolution images. The comparison was conducted for five Landsat scenes. To assess the accuracy performance of the method, we calculated the overall accuracy (OA) and the Kappa coefficient (Kappa). The results show that the weighting coefficient (w = 4) and the threshold (-0.008) yielded better performances, with a Kappa between 0.92 and 0.97, in the five scenes.

Food security remains a major global challenge, with roughly one-third of all food produced for human use being lost or squandered each year. The essential issue of food loss and waste throughout the agricultural value chain, as well as its effects on resource efficiency and food security, are discussed in this study. This study's goal is to investigate how reducing food losses and waste could improve food security while making the best use of available resources. The study examines the entire agricultural value chain, from growing to consuming, to identify key events and factors that cause food losses and waste. The research examines social, environmental, and nutritional issues using empirical data, case studies, and theoretical frameworks. It explores how lowering food losses and waste might boost food availability for disadvantaged groups, enhance resource allocation, and lessen environmental impacts. The results of this study help us better comprehend the complex interaction between food security, waste reduction, and food loss. The study emphasizes the possibility of significant gains by reducing losses within the agricultural value chain, particularly in terms of boosting global food security and preserving priceless resources. This research helps policymakers, academics, and stakeholders achieve a more sustainable and secure food future by emphasizing effective measures and areas for improvement.

Our research explores the potential of using highly saline water for agricultural irrigation, a pressing issue made increasingly critical by climate change and pollution impacts on water resources. In this study, we examine the effects of biochar application, at dosages of 1% and 3%, on wheat crops irrigated with water at two distinct salinity levels (0.63 and 10 dS/m). The goal is to determine whether biochar can mitigate the negative effects of salinity on plant growth, potentially making saline water resources viable for agricultural use, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where freshwater availability is scarce.

The results indicate promising outcomes, particularly for wheat plants treated with 1% biochar under low salinity conditions (0.63 dS/m), where they reached an average height of 26.6 cm, while plants in the control group, without biochar, showed a significantly shorter average height of 17 cm. Biochar-treated plants also exhibited notably higher chlorophyll levels, critical for photosynthesis and plant health. Specifically, chlorophyll a concentrations ranged from 29.8 to 20.9 µg/ml, and chlorophyll b from 54 to 23 µg/ml, in biochar-treated plants, exceeding the levels observed in untreated plants at both salinity levels.

Moreover, both 1% and 3% biochar applications resulted in higher chlorophyll concentrations compared to the control, indicating biochar’s effectiveness in mitigating the physiological stresses imposed by salinity. The study highlights that while lower salinity promoted higher chlorophyll a levels, untreated plants exposed to high salinity suffered significant chlorophyll reduction. These findings suggest that biochar application could serve as an effective strategy for enhancing crop resilience in saline conditions, ultimately supporting sustainable agriculture by enabling the productive use of saline water resources. Biochar’s role in reducing salinity stress may offer a transformative approach for regions challenged by limited freshwater supplies, promoting both food security and environmental sustainability.