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Research on Crops

Monitoring physiological and biochemical responses of soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) irrigated with wastewater in Algeria 


DOI: 10.31830/2348-7542.2026.ROC-1272    | Article Id: ROC-1272 | Page : 27-31
Citation :- Monitoring physiological and biochemical responses of soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) irrigated with wastewater in Algeria. Res. Crop. 27: 27-31
BOUMARAF WARDA, BERGAL AMIRA, BOUKSIBA CHAHRAZED AND NEFLA LOUBNA w.boumaraf@univ-eltarf.dz
Address : Laboratory of Environmental Science and Agricultural Ecology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Chadli Bendjedid, EL-Tarf, B.P73, 36000, Algeria
Submitted Date : 3-12-2025
Accepted Date : 6-03-2026
Online Published:

Abstract

Growing freshwater scarcity has intensified the use of wastewater for irrigation in Algeria’s agricultural regions, offering nutrients but posing risks of salinity and soilde gradation. In peri-urban areas along Oued Seybouse, the quality of such water and its impact on crop performance remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, the objective of this workis to study the effect of wastewater from Wadi Seybouse on soft wheat physiological and biochemical parameters. This water is used for the cultivation of cereals in the Guelma region of Northeast of Algeria. The study was carried out in 2024, two genotypes of soft wheat, “Arz and Hiddab,” were transplanted and irrigated with two types of water samples (wastewater and ordinary water). The parameters included biomass and content of chlorophyll, total protein, soluble sugar and proline. The monitoring of biochemical parameters showed an increase in the content of soluble sugars and proline for the plants treated with wastewater compared to the control plants. The results indicate the accumulation of osmolytes (sugars and proline), which is a reliable sign of tolerance to abiotic stress. Certainly, wastewater showed a more significant impact on proline content, which proves that this biochemical parameteris a bioindicator factor of pollution in soft wheat. Physico-chemical analysis showed that Seybouse River wastewater  exceeded WHO and FAO irrigation standards due to organic nitrogen and nutrient pollution. Wastewater irrigation induced variety-dependent changes in wheat physiology and biochemistry, with Hiddab exhibiting greater tolerance, indicating the need for cautious refuse under water scarcity.

Keywords

Irrigation productivity soft wheat tolerance Triticum aestivum L. wastewater 

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