The Influence of Edaphic and Climatic Factors on the Morphophysiological Behavior of Young Argan Plants Cultivated in Orchards: A Comparative Analysis of Three Regions in Southwest Morocco
<i>Argania spinosa</i> (L.) Skeels is a unique endemic species in Morocco, renowned for its ecological characteristics and socio-economic importance. In Morocco, recent years have seen an exacerbation of the harmful effects of climate change, leading to an alarming decline in the natural...
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| author | Fatima Ezzahra Tiouidji Assma Oumasst Salma Tabi Naima Chabbi Abdelaziz Mimouni Meriyem Koufan Naima Ait Aabd Abdelghani Tahiri Youssef Karra Jamal Hallam Redouan Qessaoui Rachid Bouharroud Fouad Elame Nadya Wahid Ahmed Wifaya |
| author_facet | Fatima Ezzahra Tiouidji Assma Oumasst Salma Tabi Naima Chabbi Abdelaziz Mimouni Meriyem Koufan Naima Ait Aabd Abdelghani Tahiri Youssef Karra Jamal Hallam Redouan Qessaoui Rachid Bouharroud Fouad Elame Nadya Wahid Ahmed Wifaya |
| author_sort | Fatima Ezzahra Tiouidji |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Argania spinosa</i> (L.) Skeels is a unique endemic species in Morocco, renowned for its ecological characteristics and socio-economic importance. In Morocco, recent years have seen an exacerbation of the harmful effects of climate change, leading to an alarming decline in the natural regeneration of this species in its original habitats. It seems that the only viable solution lies in the domestication of this genetic heritage. This study marks the first in-depth investigation of the impact of various climatic and edaphic factors on the morphological and physiological traits <i>of Argania spinosa</i> young plants, assessed in six separate orchards and observed over four seasons (March 2022 (Winter), June 2022 (Summer), November 2022 (Autumn), and March 2023 (Winter)). A climatic assessment was carried out at each site, including measurements of rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures, mean temperature, air temperature, and wind speed. The soil was analyzed for the pH, electrical conductivity (EC), water content, limestone (CaCO<sub>3</sub>), Kjeldahl nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>), organic matter (OM), and carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N). To gain a better understanding of the morphophysiological characteristics of young argan seedlings, we carried out various observations, such as measuring the height and diameter of aerial parts, and the water content of leaves (WCL) and branches (WCB), quantifying chlorophyll (mg/m<sup>2</sup>) and leaf area. The results revealed a significant impact of edaphic and climatic factors on the morphophysiological parameters of young argan trees. Results revealed significant correlations of young argan plants between edaphic and climatic factors and morphophysiological parameters. The Tamjloujt site, characterized by protective vegetation cover, showed optimal growth conditions with the highest leaf and branch water content (46.89 ± 4.06% and 37.76 ± 3.51%, respectively), maximum height growth (91.33 ± 28.68 mm), trunk diameter (24.85 ± 3.78 mm), and leaf surface area (69.33 ± 19.28 mm<sup>2</sup>) during Summer 2022. The Saharan zone of Laqsabi exhibited peak chlorophyll concentrations (506.9 ± 92.25 mg/m<sup>2</sup>) during Autumn 2022, due to high temperatures. The mountainous environment of Imoulass negatively impacted plant growth (mean height: 52.61 ± 12.37 mm; diameter: 6.46 ± 1.57 mm) due to harsh climatic and edaphic conditions. This research provides vital knowledge regarding the environmental factors influencing the establishment of young argan plants within the Argan Biosphere Reserve. This contributes to the development of more effective domestication strategies and the restoration of agroecosystems. The aim is to use this knowledge to promote the rehabilitation and sustainability of argan agroecosystems. |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-b4f6291bfdcc451ebeca7b92e9b9c5852025-01-10T13:19:50ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-01-0114112610.3390/plants14010126The Influence of Edaphic and Climatic Factors on the Morphophysiological Behavior of Young Argan Plants Cultivated in Orchards: A Comparative Analysis of Three Regions in Southwest MoroccoFatima Ezzahra Tiouidji0Assma Oumasst1Salma Tabi2Naima Chabbi3Abdelaziz Mimouni4Meriyem Koufan5Naima Ait Aabd6Abdelghani Tahiri7Youssef Karra8Jamal Hallam9Redouan Qessaoui10Rachid Bouharroud11Fouad Elame12Nadya Wahid13Ahmed Wifaya14Integrated Crop Production Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, MoroccoIntegrated Crop Production Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, MoroccoIntegrated Crop Production Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, MoroccoIntegrated Crop Production Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, MoroccoIntegrated Crop Production Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, MoroccoIntegrated Crop Production Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, MoroccoIntegrated Crop Production Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, MoroccoIntegrated Crop Production Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, MoroccoIntegrated Crop Production Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, MoroccoIntegrated Crop Production Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, MoroccoIntegrated Crop Production Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, MoroccoIntegrated Crop Production Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, MoroccoIntegrated Crop Production Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, MoroccoLaboratory of Environmental, Ecological and Agro-Industrial Engineering (LGEEAI), Faculty of Science and Technology of Beni Mellal, Sultane Molay Slimane University, Beni Mellal 23000, MoroccoIntegrated Crop Production Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco<i>Argania spinosa</i> (L.) Skeels is a unique endemic species in Morocco, renowned for its ecological characteristics and socio-economic importance. In Morocco, recent years have seen an exacerbation of the harmful effects of climate change, leading to an alarming decline in the natural regeneration of this species in its original habitats. It seems that the only viable solution lies in the domestication of this genetic heritage. This study marks the first in-depth investigation of the impact of various climatic and edaphic factors on the morphological and physiological traits <i>of Argania spinosa</i> young plants, assessed in six separate orchards and observed over four seasons (March 2022 (Winter), June 2022 (Summer), November 2022 (Autumn), and March 2023 (Winter)). A climatic assessment was carried out at each site, including measurements of rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures, mean temperature, air temperature, and wind speed. The soil was analyzed for the pH, electrical conductivity (EC), water content, limestone (CaCO<sub>3</sub>), Kjeldahl nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>), organic matter (OM), and carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N). To gain a better understanding of the morphophysiological characteristics of young argan seedlings, we carried out various observations, such as measuring the height and diameter of aerial parts, and the water content of leaves (WCL) and branches (WCB), quantifying chlorophyll (mg/m<sup>2</sup>) and leaf area. The results revealed a significant impact of edaphic and climatic factors on the morphophysiological parameters of young argan trees. Results revealed significant correlations of young argan plants between edaphic and climatic factors and morphophysiological parameters. The Tamjloujt site, characterized by protective vegetation cover, showed optimal growth conditions with the highest leaf and branch water content (46.89 ± 4.06% and 37.76 ± 3.51%, respectively), maximum height growth (91.33 ± 28.68 mm), trunk diameter (24.85 ± 3.78 mm), and leaf surface area (69.33 ± 19.28 mm<sup>2</sup>) during Summer 2022. The Saharan zone of Laqsabi exhibited peak chlorophyll concentrations (506.9 ± 92.25 mg/m<sup>2</sup>) during Autumn 2022, due to high temperatures. The mountainous environment of Imoulass negatively impacted plant growth (mean height: 52.61 ± 12.37 mm; diameter: 6.46 ± 1.57 mm) due to harsh climatic and edaphic conditions. This research provides vital knowledge regarding the environmental factors influencing the establishment of young argan plants within the Argan Biosphere Reserve. This contributes to the development of more effective domestication strategies and the restoration of agroecosystems. The aim is to use this knowledge to promote the rehabilitation and sustainability of argan agroecosystems.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/1/126<i>Argania spinosa</i>young plantsplant morphophysiologyclimatic parameterssoil parameters |
| spellingShingle | Fatima Ezzahra Tiouidji Assma Oumasst Salma Tabi Naima Chabbi Abdelaziz Mimouni Meriyem Koufan Naima Ait Aabd Abdelghani Tahiri Youssef Karra Jamal Hallam Redouan Qessaoui Rachid Bouharroud Fouad Elame Nadya Wahid Ahmed Wifaya The Influence of Edaphic and Climatic Factors on the Morphophysiological Behavior of Young Argan Plants Cultivated in Orchards: A Comparative Analysis of Three Regions in Southwest Morocco Plants <i>Argania spinosa</i> young plants plant morphophysiology climatic parameters soil parameters |
| title | The Influence of Edaphic and Climatic Factors on the Morphophysiological Behavior of Young Argan Plants Cultivated in Orchards: A Comparative Analysis of Three Regions in Southwest Morocco |
| title_full | The Influence of Edaphic and Climatic Factors on the Morphophysiological Behavior of Young Argan Plants Cultivated in Orchards: A Comparative Analysis of Three Regions in Southwest Morocco |
| title_fullStr | The Influence of Edaphic and Climatic Factors on the Morphophysiological Behavior of Young Argan Plants Cultivated in Orchards: A Comparative Analysis of Three Regions in Southwest Morocco |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Influence of Edaphic and Climatic Factors on the Morphophysiological Behavior of Young Argan Plants Cultivated in Orchards: A Comparative Analysis of Three Regions in Southwest Morocco |
| title_short | The Influence of Edaphic and Climatic Factors on the Morphophysiological Behavior of Young Argan Plants Cultivated in Orchards: A Comparative Analysis of Three Regions in Southwest Morocco |
| title_sort | influence of edaphic and climatic factors on the morphophysiological behavior of young argan plants cultivated in orchards a comparative analysis of three regions in southwest morocco |
| topic | <i>Argania spinosa</i> young plants plant morphophysiology climatic parameters soil parameters |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/1/126 |
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