Cultivating cereals in monoculture systems contributes to the decrease in grain yield and quality. Currently, under Mediterranean climate conditions of Tunisia, wheat mono-cropping covers more than 70% of cereal areas. In order to reveal the impact of this practice on cereal productivity, five improved durum wheat cultivars (Karim, Khiar, Om Rabiaa, Razzek, and Maali) were conducted under two conditions of previous wheat crop: one-year wheat previous crop (W) and two successive years (W-W). Then, they were assessed for grain yield (GY), yield components (NKS, TKW, NS), straw yield, harvest index (SY, HI), and grain quality parameters during three consecutive cropping seasons (2017, 2018, and 2019). The results showed significant effects of cropping season for all measured parameters, except thousand kernel weight (TKW). A significant effect (p < 0.05) of Pre-Crop was observed on yield components. However, grain yield (GY) was improved after one-year wheat Pre-Crop (W) (4082.3 kg ha⁻¹) more than after two years (W-W) (3277.3 kg ha⁻¹). Our results show that, based on the three-year experiment, almost all yield related traits were significantly affected by the genotype except HI and NS. The highest GYs were recorded for Om Rabiaa (4010.4 kg ha⁻¹) and Nasr (3765.76 kg ha⁻¹). All grain quality was significantly (p < 0.05) affected by cropping season, but only gluten content (GC) and vitreousness aspect (Vit A) were affected by genotype. On the other hand, the Pre-Crop W-W decreased grain protein concentration (GPC) (12.13%) and GC (22.14%) but no significant effect was observed on the Vit A of grain in our study. Furthermore, GY was positively correlated with HI (r = 0.64), NKS (r = 0.59), SN (r = 0.49), GPC (r = 0.23), and GC (r = 0.23). According to stability analysis, the Karim cultivar is the most stable genotype in wheat mono-cropping for GY and straw yield (SY). Altogether, this study provides useful information for farmers on how to produce a satisfactory yield for durum wheat cultivation under mono-cropping wheat conditions in the sub-humid environment of the Mediterranean climate of Tunisia.

Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly affected by anthropogenic pollution, highlighting the need for efficient and advanced water treatment technologies. Poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) copolymer (PVA-co-PVAc), a partially hydrolyzed copolymer derived from poly(vinyl acetate), has received limited attention for surface water remediation. To address this gap, PVA-co-PVAc was prepared and evaluated as an alternative material for surface water treatment. The polymer identity was inferred from the synthesis route and degree-of-hydrolysis measurements; comprehensive structural characterization was beyond the scope of the present application-focused study. Physico-chemical and microbiological characterization of water samples collected from six locations in Joumine Dam revealed the highest contamination levels at the dam inlet, indicating a substantial pollution load entering the reservoir. Consequently, water from this site was selected to evaluate the treatment performance of the copolymer. Among the tested copolymer concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1% w/v), the best performance was achieved at 1% (w/v), resulting in a 93% reduction in total cell density determined by direct microscopic counting, together with significant decreases in turbidity and organic matter and an apparent decrease in fluoride concentration, requiring independent analytical confirmation. These findings demonstrate the potential of PVA-co-PVAc to improve selected surface-water quality parameters under laboratory treatment conditions and support further investigation of this material using natural water matrices.

Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly affected by anthropogenic pollution, highlighting the need for efficient and sustainable water treatment technologies. Polyvinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate (PVA), a water-soluble polymer widely used in industrial applications, has received limited attention for surface water remediation. In this study, a chemically modified PVA was evaluated for the treatment of surface water collected from the Joumine Dam (Tunisia). Physico-chemical and microbiological characterization of water samples from six locations revealed the highest contamination levels at the dam inlet, reflecting a substantial pollution load entering the reservoir. Inlet water was therefore selected to assess treatment performance. Application of the modified PVA led to a 93% reduction in microbial load, accompanied by significant decreases in fluoride concentration, turbidity, and organic matter content. The treatment efficiency is attributed to the combined adsorptive and antimicrobial properties of the modified polymer. These results demonstrate the potential of modified PVA as a simple and effective material for improving surface water quality, with promising implications for drinking water treatment and decentralized water purification systems.