Proteomic and Molecular Responses of Date Palm Offshoots (cv. Al-Jabjab) under Water Stress and Treated Wastewater Treatments

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different irrigation treatments, including drought stress and biologically treated wastewater irrigation, on protein pattern and gene expression in date palm offshoots (cv. Al-Jabjab). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that all studied trees shared the first and second protein bands with closely similar molecular weights, confirming their genetic uniformity and common plant origin.
However, significant variations were observed in the number, position, and molecular weights of protein bands depending on the applied treatment. Drought stress treatments led to an increase in the number of protein bands, indicating activation of gene expression and stimulation of intracellular defense mechanisms. The newly synthesized proteins, particularly low-molecular-weight proteins, are likely osmoprotectant or stress shock proteins that play essential roles in maintaining cellular structure, regulating damaged proteins, and preserving metabolic balance under water deficit conditions.
In contrast, irrigation with biologically treated wastewater resulted in a clearer and more regular protein pattern, reflecting stable gene expression and improved metabolic efficiency. This improvement may be attributed to the balanced nutrient content and reduced osmotic and oxidative stress associated with treated wastewater. Overall, the findings suggest that irrigation treatments directly influence molecular reprogramming in date palm, and that the use of biologically treated wastewater represents a sustainable irrigation strategy capable of enhancing growth performance and drought tolerance under arid and semi-arid conditions.