To investigate the effects of quarries emissions on the leaf morpho-anatomy of Romi, Nabali and K18 olive cultivars in Taffouh village (Palestine), one set of olive cultivars of two-years old was cultivated close to quarries while the control set was cultivated almost 4 km from quarries. The morphology of six month-old leaves was examined. Leaf segments were fixed in compound fixative of formaldehyde, acetic acid and 70% ethanol (FAA). The segments were then embedded in Paraplast plus and 5 m thick sections were stained with safranin and fast green. A reduction in trichome density was evident for the three cultivars in response to exposure to quarries emission, with high density in the abaxial epidermis. Moreover, the abaxial epidermis of the three cultivars possessed elaborated and well-developed trichomes. The leaves of Romi cultivar exhibit increase in all leaf components except the adaxial epidermis while Nabali cultivar exhibited a reduction in all leaf components. Nevertheless, K18 cultivar exhibited a reduction only in palisade and spongy layers due to exposure to quarries pollutions. In conclusion, quarries emissions led to condensed palisade and spongy cells in all cultivars. In addition, Romi cultivar showed a variegated increase in all morpho-anatomical parameters concomitant with increased sclerophylly of leaves following their exposure to quarries emissions. This cultivar proved to be the most resistant to quarries stress which implies it is well suited for olive production.

The efficient transfer of nutrients to plants in the form of biofertilizers on poor substrate was investigated. Biochar and dried algae biomass as well as mineral fertilizer were used to test the growth of the Palestinian ‘Rehan’ barley cultivar under salinity stress (4, 8, and 16 mS/cm EC). Rehan cultivar showed resilience to moderate levels of salinity and could still grow under high salinity stress (16 mS/cm EC). Rehan barley possessed better growth at early growth stage under the applied biofertilizers such as dried freshwater algal biomass (Chlorella vulgaris) and nutrient-laden biochar. It showed better growth than wheat (ssp. scirocco) under the same conditions. Its growth was highly improved by biochar treatment in low and moderate salinity conditions. Moreover, the combined effect between biochar and dried algae biomass could improve Rehan barley growth, but less than the effect of each biofertilizer separately. The biofertilizers affected most plant growth parameters under the salinity level of 4 and 8 mS/cm EC positively, while the growth declined again at 16 mS/cm EC. Overall, the biochar treatment showed the same effect as the mineral fertilizer on most of the parameters. The dried algae biomass and biochar also affected soil conditions. The highest soil water content (15.09%) was found in algae biomass treatments with 16 mS/cm EC. Biochar with 8 and 16 mS/cm EC had the highest pH value (8.63) near the rhizospheres. The nitrogen level was highest in the bottom soil sample (0.28 g N/kg soil) for biochar with 0 and 4 mS/cm EC. Meanwhile, the phosphate concentration was the highest (3.3 mg PO3−2/kg soil) in algae fertilizer treatments with 0 mS/cm EC in the bottom soil sample and lowest (4.14 mg PO3−2/kg soil) for the biochar with 8 mS/cm EC. The dried algae biomass and the biochar treatments can subsequently be viewed as conditioner substrates for improving the quality and fertility of the soil. Where possible, they should be considered as complement or replacement of mineral and manure fertilization to improve the impact on soil and environment.

Salinity is a major constraint for crop health and productivity, particularly on arid, semiarid, and otherwise marginal soils, such as quarry residue. Quarries are a main pillar of national income in Palestine but have a long-lasting toll on the environment. We examined barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), another pillar of the Palestinian economy and one of the most important crops in the world, in this regard for its tolerance to salinity stress. This study is the first to evaluate the impact of salinity (50, 85, 120, and 175 mM NaCl) on seed germination, early growth stage, and morpho-anatomy on ten pre-selected certified Palestinian barley cultivars (Baladi, Improved Baladi, Rihan, ICARDA 1, ICARDA 15, ACSAD 68, ACSAD 176, ACSAD 1417, ACSAD 1732, and ACSAD 1744) to assess their potential for a successful growth start under adverse saline conditions. In addition, soil samples from quarries in Hebron governorate were randomly selected and tested for salinity level, electrical conductivity, and total of soluble salts for a first rough overview of options for applying our results, since local data are often scarce or outdated. The examined soil samples reached electrical conductivity (EC) ranges of 1.81 × 10−4–9.071 × 10−4 dS m−1, which are below the normal EC (11–57 × 10−4 dS m−1). This result may contraindicate the hypothesis that quarry lands always suffer from salinity stress. Cultivars such as ACSAD 68 and Icarda 15 proved very sensitive to higher salinity stress with high G50 (time point when 50% of seeds have germinated) at 4.4 d, with 120 mM NaCl (ACSAD 68) or incalculable amounts (Icarda 15) and just 50 and 20% total germination, respectively. Concentrations of 175 mM NaCl were found in ACSAD 176 and Improved Baladi (no G50, 37 and 30% germination, respectively). Some cultivars showed a moderate to high resilience to salinity, such as ICARDA I, ACSAD 1417, and ACSAD 1744, which reached > 80% seed germination at 120 mM NaCl and >60% at 175 mM NaCl, and G50 within 1.5–2.2 days; the most resilient was ACSAD 1732 with G50 < 2 days and germination still >80% at 175 mM NaCl. This is strongly supported by the monitored growth parameters. In conclusion, ACSAD1732 and Icarda 1 cultivars are highly recommended for cultivation in areas of low precipitation and high salt accumulation. In addition, the land and/or soil of quarries, their landfills, and nearby areas in Palestine may be fit for barley cultivation with recommended cultivars regarding salinity stress.