Wastewater reuse in the Mediterranean region: Case of Morocco

10 p.International audienceThe southern Mediterranean region being one of the most dry and water scarce regions in the world. It is also expected that by 2025, due to population increase, the regional average water availability is projected to be just less than 500 cubic meters per person per year. Many countries in the region are mining groundwater, a temporary and risky expedient. The extended reuse of reclaimed (treated) wastewater could contribute considerably to the reduction of 'water stress' and 'water scarcity' in the Mediterranean countries as part of an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach, focusing on the component wastewater reuse for irrigation and other purposes. The present article deals with the experiences carried out in Morocco in this domain. In spite of the progress that has been achieved in the last decade on technical, institutional, financial and legislative levels as regards the development of the process "sewage network-treatment-re-use", obstacles still hinder the deployment of the re-use of treated wastewater. In the current state of affairs, no project integrating the three components has been realized. This paradoxical situation is due to several constraints

Developments in adaptation to salinity at the crop level

The domestication of halophytic species and their use in agriculture has been tested by several authors to replace or supplement the vegetation of saline rangelands. In adopting plants that were originally gathered in nature for controlled cultivation under farmers’ care, the selection favored plant species that were fast-growing, performed well in the absence of other competition and disturbed soil, did not have extensive defense traits, such as thorns or toxins, and produced many seeds. Most of the saline agriculture crops have only recently been entered into breeding and selection programs, although several studies have been done on what people can consider landraces, many of the traits associated with elite varieties have not been systematically studied yet

Impact of irrigation during flowering and fruit growth on fruit yield and quality of the cactus Opuntia spp.

peer reviewedMost plantations of cactus pear are not irrigated in Morocco and fruits are tiny. The impacts of irrigation during flowering (FLO) and fruit growth (FRG) on fruit yield and quality were monitored along two years on three varieties of cactus pear. In 2011, irrigation treatments were: T1 (0 mm), T2 (30 mm during FLO and 30 mm during FRG) and T3 (30 mm during FRG only). In 2012, irrigation treatments increased to 60 mm during FLO and FRG. The irrigation treatments were applied in 8 (T3) or 16 (T2) watering, once every three days. Interactions between varieties and treatments were significant for fruit yields and for yield components. In 2011, T2 and T3 irrigations had a negative effect on ‘Aissa’ and ‘Moussa’ (-2.8 kg/ plant) and T2 had a positive effect on ‘Achefri’ (+2.7 kg/plant). Fruit quality was not affected by irrigation. In 2012, all the varieties responded positively to irrigation: ‘Achefri’ and ‘Aissa’ yielded very significantly more with T3 (plus 63 % and 30 % resp.) and ‘Moussa’ with T2 (+30 %). All irrigations increased fruit number and size. Irrigation had no significant effect on the fruit quality or slightly decreased the content of total sugars and titratable acidity

Using deficit irrigation with treated wastewater in the production of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) in Morocco | El uso de riego deficitario con aguas residuales tratadas en la producción de quinua (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) en Marruecos

Scarcity of water resources and growing competition for water, reduce water availability for irrigation. In this experiment which was carried out in the south of Morocco, treated wastewater was used as an alternative resource for irrigation of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). During the first season (2010), six deficit irrigation treatments were applied during all crop stages on DO708 cultivar alternating water stress level at either 100 or 50% of ETm (maximal evatranspiration), while during the second season (2011), three deficit irrigation treatments 100, 50 and 25% were applied only during vegetative growth stage on two quinoa cultivars DO708 and QM1113. The highest water productivity was obtained when deficit irrigation was applied during the vegetative growth stage. Applying 50% of ETm during first season and second season resulted in highest yield. The most sensitive growth stage of quinoa to drought stress was the seed filling stage, and during this stage it is recommended to supply water to avoid yield and water productivity decrease. Combining deficit irrigation strategy, engineering solution (modernization of the irrigation systems, soil moisture monitoring), and the reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation, could improve water productivity of this drought tolerant crop under conditions of limited water resources. Key words: Drought stress, water productivity, leaf area index, salinity, yield RESUMEN La escasez de recursos hídricos y la creciente competencia por el agua reduce la disponibilidad de agua para el riego. En este experimento que se llevó a cabo en el sur de Marruecos, el agua residual tratada se utilizó como un recurso alternativo para el riego de quinua (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). Durante la primera temporada (2010), se aplicaron seis tratamientos de riego deficitario alternando 100 y 50% de la ETm (evapotranspiración máxima) durante todas las etapas del cultivo en el cultivar DO708, mientras que en la segunda temporada (2011) se aplicaron tres tratamientos de riego deficitario 100, 50 y 25% sólo durante la etapa de crecimiento vegetativo en dos cultivares de quinua DO708 y QM1113. La mayor productividad del agua se obtuvo cuando se aplicó el riego deficitario durante la etapa de crecimiento vegetativo. Un tratamiento de riego deficitario con 50% de la ETm durante la primera y la segunda temporada registró la mayor productividad del agua. La etapa de crecimiento más sensible de la quinua al estrés hídrico fue la etapa de llenado de la semilla y durante esta etapa se recomienda el suministro de agua para evitar la disminución del rendimiento y reducir la productividad del agua. La combinación de la estrategia de riego deficitario, solución de ingeniería (modernización del sistema de riego, sensores de humedad del suelo) y la reutilización de aguas residuales tratadas para el riego, podría mejorar la productividad del agua de este cultivo tolerante a la sequía bajo condiciones de los recursos hídricos limitados. Palabras clave: Estrés hídrico, productividad del agua, índice de área foliar, salinidad, rendimient

Optimization of macronutrients for improved grain yield of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Wild.) crop under semi-arid conditions of Morocco

In the context of climate change, quinoa represents a potential alternative crop for increasing crops diversity, agricultural productivity, and farmer’s income in semi-arid regions. However, appropriate crop management practices under limited water supply are still poorly documented. Quinoa, like other cultivated crops, needs optimum quantities of nutrients, especially nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), for better growth and high grain yield. To determine the adequate levels of nutrient requirements and their effect on quinoa growth and productivity, a field experiment was conducted during two growing seasons (2020–2021 and 2021–2022). The experiment was conducted in Ben Guerir region, north-central Morocco, and consisted of a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments studied consist of a combination of four N rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha−1), three P rates (0, 30, and 60 kg P2O5 ha−1), and three K rates (0, 60, and 120 kg K2O ha−1). The physiological, nutritional, and production parameters of quinoa were collected and analyzed. The results showed that the highest total biomass (3.9 t ha−1) and grain yield (0.8 t ha−1) under semi-arid conditions were obtained with 40 kg N ha−1, 60 kg P2O5 ha−1, and 120 kg K2O ha−1. The application of 40–60–120 kg ha−1 of N–P2O5–K2O increased plant height by 44%, chlorophyll content index by 96%, total biomass by 134%, grain yield by 112%, and seed weight by 118%. Among the three macronutrients, N was the most limiting factor, followed by K and P. Nutrients uptake data showed that quinoa needs 60 kg N, 26 kg P2O5, and 205 kg K2O to produce 1 t of grain yield. Our field results provide future recommendations for improving the agronomic and environmental sustainability of quinoa cultivation in dryland areas in Morocco

Utilisation de l'irrigation déficitaire avec des eaux usées traitées pour améliorer la productivité des cultures du maïs sucré, pois chiche, féverole et quinoa

Several experiments were conducted in the south of Morocco (IAV-CHA, Agadir) during two seasons 2010 and 2011 in order to evaluate the effect of deficit irrigation with treated wastewater on several crops (quinoa, sweet corn, faba bean and chickpeas).  During the first season (2010) three crops were tested, quinoa, chickpeas and sweet corn applying 6 deficit irrigation treatments during all crop stages alternating 100% of full irrigation as non-stress condition and 50% of full irrigation as water deficit condition applied during vegetative growth, flowering and grain filling stage. For all crops, the highest water productivity and yield were obtained when deficit irrigation was applied during the vegetative growth stage. During the second season (2011) two cultivars of quinoa, faba bean and sweet corn have been cultivated applying 6 deficit irrigation treatments (rainfed, 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of full irrigation) only during the vegetative growth stage, while in the rest of crop cycle full irrigation was provided except for rainfed treatment. For quinoa and faba bean, treatment receiving 50% of full irrigation during vegetative growth stage recorded the highest yield and water productivity, while for sweet corn applying 75% of full irrigation was the optimal treatment in terms of yield and water productivity.Plusieurs essais ont été conduits dans le sud du Maroc (IAV-CHA, Agadir) durant deux saisons 2010 et 2011 dont le but d’évaluer l’effet de l’irrigation déficitaire par les eaux usées traitées sur plusieurs cultures (quinoa, maïs doux, fève et pois chiche). Durant la première saison (2010) trois cultures ont été testées, quinoa, maïs doux et pois chiche en appliquant 6 traitements d’irrigation déficitaire durant tout les stades culturaux en alternant 100% d’ETm comme condition de confort hydrique et 50% d’ETm comme conditions de stress durant le stade de croissance végétative, floraison et remplissage des grains. Pour toutes les cultures, le rendement et la productivité d’eau les plus élevés ont été obtenus lorsque l’irrigation déficitaire a été appliquée durant le stade de croissance végétative. Pendant la deuxième saison (2011) deux lignés du quinoa, la fève et le maïs doux ont été cultivées en adoptant 6 traitements d’irrigation déficitaire (bour, 0, 25, 50, 75 et 100 d’ETm) appliqués juste pendant le stade de croissance végétative, tandis que durant le reste du cycle cultural les cultures ont reçues une irrigation complète sauf pour le traitement bour. Pour le quinoa et la fève, appliquant 50% d’ETm durant le stade végétatif a permis d’obtenir le rendement et la productivité d’eau les plus élevés, tandis que pour le maïs doux le traitement optimal qui a enregistré le rendement et la productivité d’eau les plus élevés est celui qui a reçu 75% d’ETm.&nbsp

Worldwide development of agronomic management practices for quinoa cultivation: a systematic review

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Wild.) is a drought and salinity-tolerant crop that originated in the Andes over 7000 years ago. It is adapted to different agroecological areas and can be grown from sea level to an altitude of 4000 m. The outstanding nutritional status of quinoa, with its high content of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, makes it a promising crop able to combat hunger and malnutrition in different countries in the 21st century. Quinoa cultivation has expanded from South America to Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. Reviewing quinoa cropping practices will provide farmers with adequate recommendations for improving the agronomic and environmental sustainability of quinoa cultivation worldwide. For this reason, we conducted a systematic review of agronomic management practices in 148 field experiments conducted worldwide from 2000 to 2022. The collected data from the literature were analyzed and presented by location to determine high-performing genotypes, optimal planting dates, and other adequate cropping practices affecting quinoa performance and yield. Results showed that quinoa could be successfully cultivated in the new farming areas. Quinoa yields were higher than those reported in its place of origin, ranging from 108 kg ha-1, obtained by KU-2 in Washington State, to 9667 kg ha-1, obtained by Longli in China. Although quinoa is considered a crop with low input requirements, positive grain yield response was observed following increasing fertilization rates. Quinoa needs 2 to 4.6 kg of nitrogen to produce 1q of grain yield. In terms of phosphorus and potassium, quinoa needs 3.7 kg P2O5 and 4.3 kg K2O to produce 1 ton of total biomass. Quinoa has low water requirements (300-400 mm). However, a positive response was recorded with water quantities up to 866 mm. During our investigation, weed control in quinoa crop is still undeveloped and usually done manually. Research addressing this issue can increase quinoa yields and decrease the production cost. Downey mildew and birds’ attack are the major phytosanitary problems affecting quinoa grain yield. Other pests such as miners and aphids can also affect the health of quinoa, but their injury is not a serious problem. After the harvest, saponins found in the out layer of the seed can be removed through washing and mechanical pearling process, but the latter technic was found to be efficient and cost effective to reduce the saponin content. Our results constitute the first recommendation base for the adequate worldwide agronomic practices of quinoa crop

Effects of water stress on food security and socio-economic development

This deliverable of MADFORWATER project, D1.3 “Effects of water stress on food security and socio-economic development”, presents an econometric modeling approach developed to assess the effects of different dimensions of water stress and vulnerability on selected indicators for food security and socio-economic development in three Mediterranean African Countries (MACs): Egypt, Morocco and Tunisi