Groundwater is considered as the living artery of each region worldwide. It is at the origin of such economic and agronomic development and helps, therefore, to keep the local population in place, especially in disadvantaged areas. This study assesses the water quality index in the alluvial plains in the northwestern region of Algeria. This index provides a value that expresses the overall water quality based on various parameters. Therefore, field physical measurements coupled with laboratory hydrochemical analysis were used in this integrated study from 36 samples of three regions (Frenda, Ain Hedid, and Takhemert). The obtained dominance of anions and cations, in particular for HCO3−, Cl−, Ca2+, Mg2+, highlighted that the chemical facies of the study area shown three facies. The first is bicarbonate calcium, the second is chloride sodium, and the third is bicarbonate magnesium. The high correlation of TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) with all ions, notably Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl− , Na+ except HCO3− and NO3−, demonstrate that the mineralization, according to the literature, which is due to the alteration and dissolution of the source rock, in particular the carbonate rocks and the evaporitic rocks is the main factor of this correlation. For the water quality index, the results showed that 2.77% of the samples belong to the good quality category, while 63.88% and 33.33% to poor and very poor quality, respectively. Fortunately, the results of this index demonstrated the complete absence of unsuitable water quality. Nevertheless, given the vital importance of water and for the sustainable development of the region, the need to implement a continuous control of this source remains an urgent practice for the benefit of future generations.

Durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) is one of Algeria's primary cereal crops. Although the areas reserved for this species are estimated at approximately 40%, the production remains low to meet national grain requirements. This shortfall is primarily due to the impact of biotic and abiotic stresses, particularly drought, which significantly limit wheat yields. For that, this study assessed the behavior of five genotypes of durum wheat (Waha, Acsad1361, Vitron, Oued Zenati and Langlois) under water stress conditions. The experiment was carried out in Tiaret (Western Algeria). The studied parameters are morpho-physiological and anatomical of the flag leaf. The obtained results showed that the water deficit greatly affected the dimensions of the plant and triggered a decrease in the water content. Structural modifications due to cellular resizing of the structural constituents of the last leaf, reflected by variations in the rate of the outer epidermal wall thickness and reductions of leaf mesophiles. These modifications remain effective in maintaining the hydration of the aerial part by limiting water loss and increasing the hydraulic resistance of the leaves. According to this study, it seems that an inter-varietal difference has been highlighted. However, a genetic cross is recommended to combine the maximum number of resistant genes into a single variety. This strategy is considered as an effective solution for mitigating the effects of abiotic stresses, especially in semi-arid regions.

The search for alternatives to chemical pharmaceutical products remains an urgent and crucial step for humanity. In this regard, the use of plants presents an ideal approach for such biological studies. Arbutus unedo L., which belongs to the family Ericaceae, is one of the species that holds significant importance in traditional pharmaceutical uses. In Algeria, the use of this species in traditional treatment is generally rare. Therefore, this study aims to highlight its medicinal importance and the proper method for extracting its bioactive elements. To achieve this, the biological activity of leaves including total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH assay, and total flavonoid content (TFC), were assessed under four different drying temperatures (shade-drying, sun-drying, 40°C and 60C°) and two extraction methods after maceration (centrifugation, filtration). The results have indicated that these processes have affected the final accumulation of polyphenols and antioxidant activity in the leaf extracts. Additionally, it has been highlighted that the centrifugation method extracts a higher biochemical amount, especially after drying at 40°C. Furthermore, Arbutus unedo L. leaves should be considered a promising source of natural compounds to be used as ingredients in various fields.