Search Results (137)

Amid growing environmental concerns and the increasing demand for sustainable construction practices, the exploration of alternative materials in building applications has garnered significant attention. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the use of agricultural waste as an aggregate in cementitious composites, with a particular focus on palm kernel shells, coconut shells, hazelnut, peanut and pistachio shells, stone fruit shells and pits, date and grape seeds, rice husks, maize (corn) cobs, and sunflower seed shells. For each type of agro-waste, the paper discusses key physical and mechanical properties, global production volumes, and primary countries of origin. Furthermore, it offers an in-depth analysis of existing research on the incorporation of these materials into cement-based composites, highlighting both the advantages and limitations of their use. Although the integration of agro-waste into construction materials presents certain challenges, the vast quantities of agricultural residues generated globally underscore the urgency and potential of their reuse. In line with circular economy principles, this review advocates for the valorization of agro-waste through innovative and sustainable applications within the construction industry. Full article

The growth of plants highly depends on the soil’s water availability and properties. Hydrogels (HGs) have been used for decades to enhance soil water retention, whereas developing eco-friendly and sustainable HGs for agricultural applications is still necessary to ensure water and food security. In this study, renewable and cost-effective HGs were prepared from all-lignocellulose fibers of date palm biomass after carboxymethylation followed by citric acid (CA) crosslinking. HGs showed high equilibrium swelling capacity (EWC%), even in salty media, whereas purified HGs showed about 700–400 EWC% in deionized water. Further, HGs’ effect on germination was studied on Chico III tomato, mint, Basilico red, and chia seeds. The results revealed that HGs enhanced the soil properties, with taller and healthier plants observed in HG-amended soil. FTIR, thermal analysis, and microscope imaging were utilized to evaluate HGs’ and raw materials’ characteristics. The findings in this study support the idea that all-lignocellulose could be used for HG production without separation. Full article

The development of an effective artificial diet is essential for the mass rearing of insects used in pest management programs, including augmentative biological control, insecticide resistance monitoring, and sterile insect release. This study evaluated the consumption, utilization, and enzymatic responses of the polyphagous pest Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1808) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) when reared on meridic diets supplemented with different pollen grains. The control diet followed a well-established meridic formulation, while the eight experimental diets incorporated pollen from the honey bee, rapeseed, maize, sunflower, hollyhock, glossy shower, saffron, and date palm. The findings indicate that pollen supplementation enhances the quality of artificial diets for H. armigera. Larvae fed on the date palm pollen-supplemented diet exhibited significantly higher weight gain, efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD), and relative growth rate (RGR) compared to those fed on the control diet. The highest relative consumption rate (RCR) was observed in larvae fed on the sunflower pollen-supplemented diet. Additionally, pollen-supplemented diets influenced the amylolytic and proteolytic enzyme activities of H. armigera larvae in a diet-dependent manner. Nutritional analysis of the pollen types revealed significant variations in the sugar, lipid, and protein contents. Cluster analysis further identified the date palm pollen-supplemented diet as the most nutritionally beneficial, suggesting its potential application in the large-scale production of H. armigera. Full article

Bacillus halotolerans, a halophilic bacterial species of the genus Bacillus, is emerging as a biological control agent with immense potential for sustainable agriculture, particularly in extreme conditions and environmental rehabilitation. This review summarizes the current state of research on B. halotolerans, emphasizing its diverse applications in the biocontrol of plant pathogens, plant growth promotion under salinity stress, nematode management, and bioremediation. B. halotolerans utilizes several mechanisms such as the production of siderophores and phytohormones, secretion of exopolysaccharides, and the release of antifungal and nematicidal compounds, which allows it to mitigate both abiotic and biotic stresses in various crops, including wheat, rice, date palm, tomato, and others. In addition, genomic and metabolomic analyses have revealed its potential for secondary metabolite production that improves its antagonistic and growth-promoting traits. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in translating laboratory results into field applications. Future research should focus on formulating effective bioinoculants and field trials to maximize the practical utility of B. halotolerans for sustainable agriculture and environmental resilience. Full article

The transition to clean energy is crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change and achieving sustainable development. Reliance on fossil fuels, which are integral to manufacturing and transportation, remains a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Biomass gasification presents a renewable energy alternative that can significantly reduce emissions. However, proper disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) and agricultural residues, such as date palm waste (DPW), is an increasing global challenge, including in Qatar. This study evaluates the economic feasibility of implementing an MSW and DPW gasification plant for clean electricity generation in Qatar. The country’s growing population and economic development have led to substantial waste production, making it an ideal location for waste-to-energy (WTE) initiatives. Using discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, the study estimates the capital cost of a 373 MW_th facility at approximately $12.07 million, with annual operating costs of about $4.09 million and revenue of $26.88 million in 2023. The results indicate a net present value (NPV) of $245.77 million, a return on investment (ROI) of 84.80%, a payback period of approximately 5 years over a 20-year project lifetime and a net reduction of 206,786 tonnes CO₂ annually. These findings demonstrate the economic viability of biomass gasification in Qatar while contributing to reduced GHG emissions and advancing the country’s sustainability goals under Qatar National Vision 2030. Full article

Background: Soil salinity poses a significant threat to agricultural lands by adversely affecting soil properties, crop productivity, and, consequently, global food security. This study evaluated the effects of date palm waste compost (C), applied alone or combined with biochar (BCC) or Ramial chipped wood (RCWC), on soil properties and barley yield under arid and saline conditions. Methods: A field experiment was performed in a completely random design with three replications. In addition to the unamended soil (control), treatments with compost (C), biochar + compost (BCC) and Ramial chipped wood + compost (RCWC) were tested. We monitored soil physico-chemical parameters, straw biomass, grain yield, and soluble sugar levels over two crop seasons. Results: All treatments enhanced soil fertility. However, the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and the cation ratio of soil structural stability (CROSS) increased in soils amended with compost alone in the second crop year. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivated in soil amended with C and BCC produced 28% and 37% more dry biomass, respectively, in the second year, while no significant effects were observed in the first year. This may be attributed to the higher availability of nutrient content (N and P) in soils during the second year. In the first year, plants amended with BCC exhibited the highest accumulation of sucrose and fructose, with increases of up to 39% and 66%, respectively. Conclusions: Compost application did not affect barley yield during the first crop year, highlighting limited effects on soil fertility. However, C and BCC improved barley yield in the second year after application. No synergistic effect was observed between biochar, Ramial chipped wood, and compost. Future Perspective: Further studies should focus on the long-term effects of organic soil management, including salinity issues, to support sustainable agriculture in arid regions. Full article

This study applies panel techniques with macro variables to analyze the connection between date palms production and water management in GCC countries using the Bayesian random and mixed effects models. Also, this study utilizes panel-corrected standard error (PCSE) and feasibly generalized least squares (FGLSs) methods to test the robustness and verify the Bayesian results. By utilizing a Bayesian longitudinal model, this study not only fills in a critical research gap but also provides a fresh perspective on the dynamics of water management practices and their impact on date palm cultivation over time. The results of this study confirm that the posterior means for coefficients of the water efficiencies for all purposes are positive with a magnitude of 11%, 28%, and 125%, respectively, for agriculture, services, and industrial purposes, determining that the Bayesian inference is efficient and reasonable. This result indicates the fit of the model, the validation of the results, and the knowledge that decision-making can suggest water management strategies for date palm cultivation. The findings from the PCSE and FGLSs models confirm that efficient water use in services (β = −0.329, significant at 1%) and agriculture (β = −2.834, significant at 1%) can lead to increased competition for limited water resources, reducing water availability for palm cultivation. Water use efficiency for industrial purposes (β = 0.503, significant at 1%) shows a positive relationship. Industrial water efficiency practices, such as water recycling, can help preserve water resources, managing more water available for agricultural activities. In addition, industrial water efficiency initiatives often involve technological innovations that can be applied to agriculture, improving water management practices in palm production. Developing and implementing comprehensive strategies, such as Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), that consider water needs for all purposes and establish coordinated water distribution plans to ensure sustainable water use practices across various sectors are highly recommended for policymakers and stakeholders. Also, further research must be performed to investigate the implications of climate change on water resources and date production to develop adaptation strategies that enhance the resilience of date palm cultivation. This will help the development of sustainable agricultural practices that balance water conservation with agrarian productivity. Full article

Arid ecosystems constitute a promising source of actinobacteria producing new bioactive molecules. This study aimed to explore different biological activities of actinomycetes isolated from the rhizosphere of Phoenix dactylifera L. in the Ghardaia region, Algeria. A total of 18 actinobacteria were isolated and studied for their enzymatic and antimicrobial activities. All isolates shared cellulase and catalase activity; most of them produced amylase (94%), esterase (84%), lecithinase and lipoproteins (78%), caseinase (94%), and gelatinase (72%). The isolates could coagulate (56%) or peptonize (28%) skim milk. Overall, 72% of the isolates exhibited significant antibacterial activity against at least one test bacteria, while 56% demonstrated antifungal activity against at least one test fungi. Based on enzyme production and antimicrobial activity, isolate SGI16 was selected for secondary metabolite extraction by ethyl acetate. The crude extract of SGI16 was analyzed using DPPH and BSA denaturation inhibition tests, revealing significant antioxidant power (IC₅₀ = 7.24 ± 0.21 μg mL⁻¹) and protein denaturation inhibitory capacity (IC₅₀ = 492.41 ± 0.47 μg mL⁻¹). Molecular identification based on 16S rDNA analysis showed that SGI16 belonged to the genus Streptomyces. The findings highlight that date palms’ rhizosphere actinobacteria are a valuable source of biomolecules of biotechnological interest. Full article

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has millions of date palm trees for commercial scale date-fruit production. The respective industry also generates agricultural waste including date palm tree branches. This rich bio-resource can be used for several beneficial applications. The present study therefore investigated the application of granular activated carbon (GAC) produced using date palm tree branches to successfully remove phenol, p-cresol, and copper from synthetic wastewater. The respective adsorption equilibrium results fitted well to the Langmuir-type adsorption isotherm. Furthermore, the pH-dependent adsorption results both for phenol and p-cresol appeared to follow an anionic-type adsorption behavior (i.e., decreasing adsorption with an increase in aqueous phase equilibrium pH). However, the pH-dependent adsorption finding for copper showed a cationic-type adsorption behavior. These adsorption trends were explained employing the pH-dependent speciation of the respective pollutants. In general, findings from the present work indicate that a high-specific-surface-area (SSA_BET) GAC material from the date palm tree branches can be successfully employed for aqueous phase pollution control. Full article

Agricultural residues are generated during the production and processing of agricultural crops. Under modern date palm plantation practices, field operations generate huge quantities of residues, which are discarded with little valorization. The date palm agro-industry produces significant amounts of waste. The accumulation of these residues can cause ecological damage to the oasis ecosystems. There is a lack of comprehensive data on long-term research studies that aim to assess the impact of date palm waste management practices. Composting and/or pyrolysis of date palm residues showed benefits for improving soil physical and chemical properties, particularly in sandy soils. This claim holds particular significance for arid and semi-arid regions, which are characterized by low fertility and are susceptible to soil degradation, accentuated by ongoing climate change. This review summarizes the existing literature concerning the valorization of date palm residues with regards to compost and pyrolysis processes, as well as the impact of their application on soil quality. Further research is required to assess the effects of using date palm residues for better soil amendment management. Research should focus on composting and biochar technologies for date palm residues and their application in arid and semi-arid regions to combat soil erosion and degradation. Increasing the beneficial uses of date palm residues could lead to sustainable and economic growth in dry areas. Full article

Heavy metals such as copper, often discharged from industrial processes and agricultural activities, pose significant environmental and health risks due to their toxicity, particularly in the soluble form of Cu (II). This study investigates the effectiveness of biochar produced from date palm leaf midrib waste via a two-step pyrolysis process, as a sustainable and economical adsorbent for removing Cu (II) from aqueous solutions The biochar was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. Adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and initial Cu (II) concentration. The maximum adsorption capacity was observed at pH 6, with a capacity of 70 mg/g. The adsorption data were best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating chemisorption as the primary mechanism. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic, with a Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) of −1.245 kJ/mol at 25 °C, enthalpy change (ΔH) of −15.71 kJ/mol, and entropy change (ΔS) of 48.36 J/mol·K. Reusability tests demonstrated that the biochar retained over 85% of its initial adsorption capacity after five cycles, with capacities of 60 mg/g in the first cycle, decreasing to 52 mg/g by the fifth cycle. This study highlights the potential of biochar derived from date palm waste as an efficient, sustainable adsorbent for the removal of Cu (II) from wastewater, contributing to both environmental management and waste valorization. Future research should focus on optimizing the biochar production process and exploring its application for the removal of other contaminants. Full article

The traditional practice of harvesting and processing raw date palm sap is not only culturally significant but also provides an essential nutritional source in South Asia. However, the potential for bacterial or viral contamination from animals and environmental sources during its collection remains a serious and insufficiently studied risk. Implementing improved food safety measures and collection techniques could mitigate the risk of these infections. Additionally, the adoption of advanced food analytical methods offers the potential to identify pathogens and uncover the natural bacterial diversity of these products. The advancement of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, particularly nanopore sequencing, offers a rapid and highly mobile solution. In this study, we employed nanopore sequencing for the bacterial metabarcoding of a set of raw date palm sap samples collected without protective coverage against animals in Bangladesh in 2021. We identified several bacterial species with importance in the natural fermentation of the product and demonstrated the feasibility of this NGS method in the surveillance of raw palm sap products. We revealed two fermentation directions dominated by either Leuconostoc species or Lactococcus species in these products at the first 6 h from harvest, along with opportunistic human pathogens in the background, represented with lower abundance. Plant pathogens, bacteria with the potential for opportunistic human infection and the sequences of the Exiguobacterium genus are also described, and their potential role is discussed. In this study, we demonstrate the potential of mobile laboratory solutions for food safety purposes in low-resource areas. Full article

Dates are the fruits of the date palm belonging to the Arecaceae family; they comprise over 2500 species and 200 genera and constitute an essential part of the daily diet worldwide, with beneficial nutritional, health, and economic values. Several varieties of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) fruit exist globally, especially in hot and humid regions. This review is an overview of date palms as a significant global food resource, including their historical significance, nutritional composition, cultivation practices, economic importance, and health benefits. The historical journey of dates goes back to ancient civilizations where they were revered for their richness in essential nutrients and natural sweetness. Today, dates are a vital crop in arid regions, contributing substantially to the agricultural economy and livelihoods of communities. This paper further explores the cultivation techniques employed to enhance date production. Furthermore, the nutritional composition of dates is analyzed in detail, highlighting their high content of vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers, and antioxidants. These attributes make dates a delicious treat and a valuable nutritional component, offering numerous health benefits. The potential health effects, including improved digestion, enhanced cardiovascular health, and increased energy levels, are discussed. Additionally, this paper delves into the economic significance of the date industry and its global trade. Full article

The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae), is a destructive and voracious pest of palm species worldwide. Due to environmental and regulatory concerns, ecologically safe alternatives to synthetic chemical insecticides are needed to manage this cryptic insect species. Entomopathogenic fungi have the potential to manage this pest. The scope of management and effectiveness can be improved by direct control or horizontal transmission of entomopathogenic fungal isolates. We tested in the laboratory the virulence and pathogenicity of fifteen different entomopathogenic fungal isolates belonging to the following species: Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria brongniartii and Purpureocillium lilacinum. All fungal isolates were found virulent against larvae (14.9 ± 1.06 to 81.5 ± 1.48% mortality) and adults (5.6 ± 1.12 to 51.7 ± 1.51% mortality) at 12 d post-treatment. From a screening bioassay, five M. anisopliae (WG-08, WG-09) and B. bassiana (WG-23, WG-24, WG-25) isolates were tested for their concentration response mortality against larvae and adults after 7, 14 and 21 days (d) of treatment. Mortality was found positively correlated with concentration and time. At 21 d of treatment, WG-23 and WG-25 1 × 10⁸ conidia/mL resulted in 100% mortality against larvae while only WG-25 1 × 10⁹ conidia/mL caused 100% mortality of adults. Along with mortality, all the potential isolates have strong ovicidal effects that reduced 81.49% at 1 × 10⁸ conidia/mL. The horizontal transmission bioassay indicated that the infected adults transmitted the disease to healthy individuals. Horizontal transmission of fungi from infected to non-infected adults not only caused significant mortality but also had a serious sublethal impact on insect development and fitness including reduced number of eggs/d fecundity, egg viability and neonate survival. Isolate WG-25 reduced oviposition (0.5 eggs/d), fecundity (11.7 eggs/female), egg viability (11.6%) along with larval survival 25.9% when infected male mated with normal female. In semi-field trials, all fungal isolates reduced survival of larvae found inside the palms and ultimately reduced infestations over a period of two months. The results of this study indicate that entomopathogenic fungi should be further tested for sustainable and efficient control of RPW in date palm production systems. Full article

Red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), is a palm tree insect pest that causes significant damage in the many countries from the Indian sub-continent and southeast Asia into date palm-growing countries of Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean Basin. This study is aimed at determining the role of a C-type lectin, RfCTL27, in the immune defense of RPW larvae. RfCTL27 is a secreted protein that possesses a QPD motif, being integral for the discrimination of Gram-negative bacteria. The abundance of RfCTL27 transcripts in the gut and fat body was significantly higher than that in other tissues. Six hours after injection of Escherichia coli, the expression level of RfCTL27 in the gut of RPW larvae was significantly elevated compared with other groups. At 12 h after injection of E. coli, the expression of RfCTL27 in fat body was dramatically induced in contrast with other treatments. More interestingly, the ability of RPW larvae to clear the pathogenic bacteria in the body cavity and gut was markedly impaired by the silencing of RfCTL27. Additionally, the expression levels of two antimicrobial peptide genes, RfCecropin in the gut and RfDefensin in fat body of RPW larvae, were significantly decreased. Taken together, these data suggested that RfCTL27 can recognize the Gram-negative bacterium and activate the expression of antimicrobial peptides to remove the invaded bacterial pathogens. This study provides a new scientific basis for improving the control efficiency of pathogenic microorganisms against red palm weevils in production practice. Full article