Climate change poses a serious threat to arid and low-elevation coastal zones. Kafrelsheikh Governorate, as a large agricultural and coastal region on the Egyptian North Nile Delta, is one of the most vulnerable areas to higher temperature and global sea-level rise. Two DSSAT wheat models (CERES and N-Wheat) were calibrated using a local cultivar (Misr3) grown under irrigated conditions in Egypt. Experimental data of two successive growing seasons during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 were used for calibration using different treatments of irrigation, planting dates and fertilization. Both models simulated the phenology and wheat yield well, with root mean square deviation of <10%, and d-index >0.80. Climate change sensitivity analysis showed that rising temperature by 1 ᵒ C to 4 ᵒ C decreased wheat yield by 17.6%. However, elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentrations increased yield and could compensate for some of the negative temperature responses. Sea-level rise by 2.0 m will reduce the extent of agricultural land on the North Nile Delta of Egypt by ~60% and would create additional challenges to wheat production in this region.

The APSIM-Wheat and AQUACROP models were calibrated for the Sakha 95 cultivar using phenological data, grain and biomass yield, and genetic parameters based on field observation. Various treatments of planting dates, irrigation, and fertilization were applied over the two successive winter growing seasons of 2019/2020 and 2020/2021. Both models simulated anthesis, maturity dates, grain yield, and aboveground biomass accurately with high performances (coefficient of determination, index of agreement greater than 0.8, and lower values of root mean square deviation) in most cases. The calibrated models were then employed to explore wheat yield and water productivity (WP) in response to irrigation and nitrogen fertilization applications. Scenario analyses indicated that water productivity and yield of wheat ranged from 1.2–2.0 kg m–3 and 6.8–8.7 t ha–1, respectively. Application of 0.8 from actual evapotranspiration and 120% from recommended nitrogen dose was the best-predicted scenario achieving the highest value of crop WP. Investigating the suitable option achieving the current wheat yield by farmers (7.4 t ha–1), models demonstrated that application of 1.4 from actual evapotranspiration with 80% of the recommended nitrogen dose was the best option to achieve this yield. At this point, predicted WP was low and recorded 1.5 kg m–3. Quantifying wheat yield in all districts of the studied area was also predicted using both models. APSIM-Wheat and AQUACROP can be used to drive the best management strategies in terms of N fertilizer and water regime for wheat under Egyptian conditions.

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Soil salinity and climate change have a negative impact on global food production and security, especially in arid regions with limited water resources. Despite the importance of planting methods, irrigation, and soil amendments in improving crop yield, their combined impact on saline soil properties and cereal crop yield is unknown. Therefore, the current study investigated the combined effect of soil amendments (i.e., compost, C and zeolite, Z) and planting methods such as raised bed (M1) and conventional (M2), and different fractions of leaching requirements from irrigation water, such as 5% (L1) and 10% (L2), on the soil physio-chemical properties and wheat and maize productivity in an arid region. The combined application of C + Z, L2, and M1 decreased soil salinity (EC) and sodicity (ESP) after wheat production by 37.4 and 28.0%, respectively, and significantly decreased by these factors by 41.0 and 43.0% after a maize growing season. Accordingly, wheat and maize yield increased by 16.0% and 35.0%, respectively under such a combination of treatments, when compared to crops grown on unamended soil, irrigated with lower leaching fraction and planted using conventional methods. This demonstrates the significance of using a combination of organic and inorganic amendments, appropriate leaching requirements and the raised bed planting method as an environmentally friendly approach to reclaiming saline soils and improving cereal crop production, which is required for global food security.

Amelioration of salt-affected soils requires an integrated management approach, by eco-friendly environmental methods which help improve soil properties, increases crop yield and quality.  Hence, a study was done to evaluate the performances of combined use of compost and foliar application of Zn, K and compost tea. In salt affected soil in the rice-wheat system. A field experiment at El Hamool district, Kafr El Sheikh governorate, Egypt was carried out during 2019 summer for rice and 2020 winter season for wheat. A split plot design with three replicates was performed. The main plots were occupied by levels of compost: C1 (2MgFed.-1), C2 (4MgFed.-1) and C3 (6MgFed.-1), (Fed= 0.41ha). Whereas, sub-plots were foliar application: control (T1), Zinc sulphate (T2), Mono potassium phosphate (T3), compost tea (T4), Zinc + potassium (T5), zinc + compost tea (T6), potassium + CT (T7) and Zn + PK + CT (T8). ECe and SAR) were significant decreased due to application of compost up to C3 (6MgFed.-1) while CEC and organic carbon were significantly increased by compost application, C3(6MgFed.-1). The highest results were recorded  due to use of Zn+PK+CT and compost. The grain and straw yields of both rice and wheat were markedly increased due to application of compost and foliar nutrients. The highest values were noted with the interaction of C3 am and T8.Nitrogen uptake, N use efficiency and N-recovery for both rice and wheat were considerably increased due to application of compost and foliar treatments, the highest performance being observed in C3 coupled with T8.