The use of treated wastewater (TWW) for irrigation has gained global attention since it reduces pressure on groundwater (GW) and surface water. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of TWW on agronomic, photosynthetic, stomatal, and nutritional characteristics of barley plants. The experiment with barley was established on two bands: one band was irrigated with GW and the other with TWW. The evaluation was performed 25, 40, 60, 90, and 115 days after sowing (DAS). Results showed that irrigation with TWW increased (p < 0.01) grain yield by 54.3% and forage yield by 39.4% compared to GW irrigation. In addition, it increased plant height (PH) (p = 0.013), chlorophyll concentration index (CCI) (p = 0.006), and leaf area index (LAI) (p = 0.002). TWW also produced a positive effect (p < 0.05) in all the photosynthetic efficiency parameters evaluated. Barley plants irrigated with TWW had lower stomatal density (SD) and area (SA) (p < 0.001) than plants irrigated with GW. Plants irrigated with TWW had a higher P concentration (p < 0.05) in stems and roots and K concentration in leaves than plants irrigated with GW. We concluded that the use of TWW induced important biochemical, physiological, and agronomic changes in barley plants. Hence, the use of TWW may be a sustainable alternative for barley production in arid and semi-arid regions. This study was part of a government project, which aimed to develop a new metropolitan irrigation district with TWW. This study may contribute to the sustainability of water resources and agricultural practices in northern Mexico.

The excessive fertilizer application is a recurring problem in agriculture as it not only harms the soil texture but also diminishes the micronutrient availability i.e., zinc (Zn). Zn is an essential element for crop production and quality, and is also indispensable for human diet. Zn deficiency is a common problem in alkaline soils. This study aims to assess the efficiency of three different Zn fertilizers in Phaseolus vulgaris plants, grown in an alkaline soil. P. vulgaris plants were grown in an experimental greenhouse under four different treatments: control (no Zn fertilization), ZnSO₄, the chelate diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA-Zn), and Zn nanoparticles (NfsZnO). Each Zn source was applied at three different doses (0, 25, 50, 100 mg kg⁻¹). Parameters related to biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and Zn accumulation were analyzed. Zn sources enhanced bean pod growth and yield. Furthermore, the three Zn sources increased Zn accumulation in all plant organs, except in leaves. Whereas, plants supplied with 100 mg kg⁻¹ of DTPA-Zn and 25 mg kg⁻¹ of NfsZnO accumulated the highest bean Zn concentration. Generally, plants supplied with DTPA-Zn and NfsZnO showed the highest Zn content values. Besides, Zn sources enhanced the values of Zn efficiency parameters in a dose-dependent manner. According to the results, the three Zn fertilizers were effective to increase the parameters analyzed in P. vulgaris. However, DTPA-Zn and NfsZnO were more effective to enhance yield and bean Zn content, and thus can be useful for bean cultivation in alkaline soils.

Groundwater and domestic wastewater are often used in conjunction with surface water to irrigate crops in semiarid areas. A concern associated with this practice is the potential accumulation of arsenic (As) and heavy metals in soil and plants, especially in places where irrigation water contains geogenic As. Studies on arsenic uptake in cereal crops growing under dry and oxidizing conditions are scarce. A one-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the uptake and translocation of As in barley and oats irrigated with either groundwater (GW) or treated domestic wastewater (TWW) in northern Mexico. The content of As, as well as toxic metals Cd and Pb, were determined in soil and 24 sets each of barley and oat plants. Metal(loid)s accumulated more in the roots and leaves, and less in the stems and grains. Barley grains contained 0.2 mg/kg of As under GW or TWW, whereas oat grains contained twice this amount. Bioconcentration (BCF) and translocation (TF) factors were < 1 for As and Cd in plants irrigated with both GW and TWW indicating that neither barley nor oats are As-accumulators, and their grain and leaves can be safely used for fodder. However, oats irrigated with TWW bioaccumulated Pb in leaves. Conscientious monitoring of As and associated metals in soil and crops irrigated with TWW and GW is recommended.

El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar el valor económico de los servicios ecosistémicos de la cuenca Laguna de Bustillos, ubicada en el municipio de Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, mediante la aplicación del método analítico de valoración multicriterio (AMUVAM). La metodología se estructuró en dos etapas: 1) la ponderación de los servicios ecosistémicos mediante el proceso analítico jerárquico, y 2) la estimación de su valor monetario a partir del método de actualización de la renta, tomando como referencia la contribución económica de aquellos servicios con valor de mercado. Se identificaron 13 servicios ecosistémicos, de los cuales los servicios de regulación resultaron los más importantes (principalmente la regulación climática, hídrica, biológica y el control de la erosión del suelo), seguidos de los de aprovisionamiento y culturales. Los servicios de apoyo se consideraron dentro de estas categorías. El valor económico total estimado de los servicios ecosistémicos de la cuenca fue de 468 554.77 millones de pesos (MXN). Los resultados obtenidos son clave para el diseño e implementación de estrategias de manejo integral, conservación y restauración de los recursos naturales, así como para la formulación de políticas públicas que promuevan la participación de los distintos actores sociales involucrados en la gestión de la cuenca.