Journal of Environmental Biology

Utilization of magnetic water technology to improve seawater quality and its impact on soil properties and the growth of barley

A.A.M. Al-Ghamdi¹ and M. El-Zohri²*     

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah-21551, Saudi Arabia

²Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut-71516, Egypt

Received: 01 May 2025                   Revised: 27 August 2025                   Accepted: 25 September 2025

*Corresponding Author Email : melzohri@kau.edu.sa                        *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0634-8027

Abstract

Aim: Using magnetic water technology inorder to enhance seawater quality and evaluate its impact on soil characteristics and growth performance in barley.

Methodology: A pot experiment was conducted using both magnetized water and non-magnetized water at a concentration of 5%, 10% and 20% seawater. Seawater was magnetically treated using a device that generated a magnetic field ranging  from 3.5 to 136 mT.

Results: Magnetic treatment significantly improved the irrigation water quality across all seawater concentrations by reducing sodium (Na) concentration and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) compared to non-magnetized water at equivalent salinity levels. Application of magnetized water led to a progressive decrease in soil electrical conductivity, as well as Na, Mg, and Ca concentration. Barley plants irrigated with magnetized water showed significantly enhanced morphological and physiological traits under all salinity levels. Moreover, magnetized water application significantly reduced Na, Mg, and Ca concentrations in both roots and shoots of barley.

Interpretation: The findings of this study confirm the potential of magnetized seawater as a viable alternative for irrigation in water-scarce and arid regions, offering a promising approach to enhance sustainable agriculture using low-quality water resources.

Key words: Hordeum vulgare, Magnetized water, Plant growth, Salinity, Soil properties

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