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Background <p>Water scarcity is a major challenge to agriculture, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions such as wastewater reuse. This study evaluates the potential of biologically treated sewage water from the El-Salam Canal (Al-Sharqia, Egypt) for safe irrigation using the microalga <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> and the bacterium <i>Bacillus megaterium</i> as eco-friendly remediation agents.</p> Methods <p>Biological treatment of wastewater was conducted using <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> and <i>Bacillus megaterium</i>, and the removal efficiency of nutrients and heavy metals was assessed. A pot experiment was performed using basil (<i>Ocimum basilicum</i>) irrigated with domestic water, untreated wastewater, and bio-treated wastewater. Plant growth parameters, chlorophyll content, proline, antioxidant enzymes, oil production, microbial rhizosphere soil activity, soil properties, and heavy metal accumulation in soil and leaves were evaluated.</p> Results <p>Phycoremediation significantly improved effluent quality, with <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals by 41.1%, 46.7%, and 37.5%, respectively, while <i>Bacillus megaterium</i> achieved reductions of 32.3%, 39.2%, and 28.4%. In a pot experiment with basil (<i>Ocimum basilicum</i>), untreated wastewater significantly inhibited growth, biomass, and chlorophyll content, and increased proline and antioxidant enzymes. In contrast, plants irrigated with bio-treated wastewater showed rapid growth, with <i>Chlorella</i> <i>vulgaris</i> achieving the highest improvement in height, dry weight, chlorophyll, and oil production. <i>Bacillus megaterium</i> enhanced rhizosphere activity by increasing dehydrogenase activity, indole acetic acid production, and micronutrient levels. Treated wastewater resulted in growth comparable to domestic water and significantly reduced heavy metal accumulation in soil and leaves.</p> Conclusions <p>The results demonstrate that phycoremediation with <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> and <i>Bacillus megaterium</i> can convert wastewater into a safe and nutrient-rich resource, reducing environmental risks and phytotoxicity. This approach offers a sustainable and climate-resilient strategy for agriculture in water-deficient regions like Egypt.</p>

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Reuse of reclaimed wastewater for sustainable irrigation of basil (Ocimum basilicum): effects on plant performance and yield

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月28日

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  • Mona F. Ghazal,
  • Walaa H. Ismael,
  • Naeem M. E. Doha,
  • Dina Fathi Ismail Ali,
  • Gehan M. Salem

摘要

Background

Water scarcity is a major challenge to agriculture, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions such as wastewater reuse. This study evaluates the potential of biologically treated sewage water from the El-Salam Canal (Al-Sharqia, Egypt) for safe irrigation using the microalga Chlorella vulgaris and the bacterium Bacillus megaterium as eco-friendly remediation agents.

Methods

Biological treatment of wastewater was conducted using Chlorella vulgaris and Bacillus megaterium, and the removal efficiency of nutrients and heavy metals was assessed. A pot experiment was performed using basil (Ocimum basilicum) irrigated with domestic water, untreated wastewater, and bio-treated wastewater. Plant growth parameters, chlorophyll content, proline, antioxidant enzymes, oil production, microbial rhizosphere soil activity, soil properties, and heavy metal accumulation in soil and leaves were evaluated.

Results

Phycoremediation significantly improved effluent quality, with Chlorella vulgaris reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals by 41.1%, 46.7%, and 37.5%, respectively, while Bacillus megaterium achieved reductions of 32.3%, 39.2%, and 28.4%. In a pot experiment with basil (Ocimum basilicum), untreated wastewater significantly inhibited growth, biomass, and chlorophyll content, and increased proline and antioxidant enzymes. In contrast, plants irrigated with bio-treated wastewater showed rapid growth, with Chlorella vulgaris achieving the highest improvement in height, dry weight, chlorophyll, and oil production. Bacillus megaterium enhanced rhizosphere activity by increasing dehydrogenase activity, indole acetic acid production, and micronutrient levels. Treated wastewater resulted in growth comparable to domestic water and significantly reduced heavy metal accumulation in soil and leaves.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that phycoremediation with Chlorella vulgaris and Bacillus megaterium can convert wastewater into a safe and nutrient-rich resource, reducing environmental risks and phytotoxicity. This approach offers a sustainable and climate-resilient strategy for agriculture in water-deficient regions like Egypt.