Lentil plays an important role for food and nutritional security. It is a sustainable source of protein, zinc, iron, prebiotic carbohydrates, and diverse health-promoting nutrients. This crop is widely cultivated in semi-arid marginal areas and exposed to various environmental stressors. Drought stress is the major abiotic stress that causes serious effects on lentil growth and development. Thus, it is imperative to set up innovative and sustainable solutions to reduce the adverse effects of drought on lentil crop. In this review, the agro-morphological, physiological, and biochemical effects of drought on lentil were highlighted. Furthermore, breeding and agronomic interventions to improve lentil performance in drought-prone environments were also discussed. Overall, drought disturbs lentil germination, photosynthesis, water relations, shoot and root growth, thereby reducing final yield. Conventional breeding programs have identified several sources of drought tolerance; however, modern biotechnological tools could be adopted to decipher the genetic architecture of drought tolerance in lentil to accelerate the genetic progress. Cost-affordable and eco-friendly agronomic practices may also contribute to minimize the negative consequences of drought stress. Smart exploitation of breeding approaches and agronomic practices could help overcome drought, improve lentil productivity, and increase the profitability of farmers in dry areas.

This study explores the interplay between nitrogen doses and seeding rates on wheat yield, biomass, and protein content. Utilizing tools such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) measurements, and canopy temperature (CT), we conducted experiments over five growing seasons. The treatments included three nitrogen levels (0, 60, 120 kg/ha) and three seeding rates (300, 400, 500 seeds/m²) in a split-plot design with 90 plots and two replications. Our results show that an intermediate nitrogen dose (60 kg/ha) combined with a moderate seed rate (400 seeds/m²) enhances wheat yield by 22.95%. Reduced nitrogen levels increased protein content, demonstrating wheat’s adaptive mechanisms under nitrogen constraints. NDVI analysis highlighted significant growth during the tillering phase with high nitrogen, emphasizing early-stage nutrient management. SPAD measurements showed that early nitrogen applications boost chlorophyll content, essential for vigorous early growth, while CT data indicate that optimal nitrogen and seed rates can effectively modulate plant stress responses. As crops mature, the predictive capacity of NDVI declines, indicating the need for adjusted nitrogen strategies. Collectively, these findings advocate for refined management of nitrogen and seeding rates, integrating NDVI, SPAD, and CT assessments to enhance yields and promote sustainable agricultural practices while minimizing environmental impacts.

Transitioning to conservation agriculture is proving to be a better alternative and could become the norm in the future. Morocco, geographically located in a hot spot, is much more vulnerable to the hazards of climate change and the advantages of conservation agriculture remain a good compromise to ensure sustainable agricultural production. However, the lack of sufficient knowledge about this agricultural technology could be a hindrance and thus create mistrust among farmers. Therefore, the objective of our study is to evaluate the performance of a collection of chickpeas in each tillage system to identify genotypes that can be integrated into breeding programs for adaptation to conservation agriculture. Our study shows no significant effect of tillage on grain yield. Chlorophyll content and pod number made the strongest direct and positive contributions to yield for conventional and no-till, respectively. Nine genotypes including two checks (C1 and C2) were selected in both systems through MGIDI (multi-trait genotype–ideotype distance index) analysis. These genotypes would be potential candidates for breeding programs for adaptation to no-till because of their plasticity to reproduce acceptable yields in both till systems.

This study aimed to analyze the determinants of neonatal mortality over the last decade (2013–2023), identifying key factors that have influenced neonatal outcomes both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a systematic literature review approach guided by the PRISMA method, this study evaluates 91 papers collected from indexed databases such as Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. The review encompasses studies conducted globally, offering insights into the evolution of neonatal mortality research and the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on neonatal health. The analysis revealed a complex array of risk determinants, categorized into socioeconomic factors, clinical factors, and healthcare access and quality. Notable factors include rural versus urban healthcare disparities, prenatal and postnatal care quality, and the influence of healthcare infrastructure on neonatal outcomes. This study highlights the shifting focus of neonatal mortality research in response to global health challenges, including the pandemic. The findings underscore the need for multidisciplinary approaches to address neonatal mortality, emphasizing the importance of enhancing healthcare systems, improving maternal education, and ensuring equitable access to quality care. Future research should explore the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on neonatal health and investigate the efficacy of interventions in diverse healthcare settings.

Biofortification is a promising and sustainable way to improve lentil nutritional value. No-till is an eco-friendly agricultural practice for sustainable agricultural production under climate change conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic variation of lentil grain quality traits under no-till and conventional tillage systems, and to investigate the significance of tillage and genotype by tillage interaction. A Mediterranean lentil collection of 120 accessions, including landraces, advanced breeding lines, local varieties, and improved varieties was assessed for protein, iron, and zinc genetic variability under no-till and conventional tillage systems. Under no-till, substantial genetic variation for protein (19–32%), iron (17–184 mg/kg), and zinc (9–48 mg/kg) was observed, indicating the possibility of lentil biofortification under conservation agriculture. Significant effects of tillage system and genotype by tillage interaction were observed for protein and iron contents. Furthermore, significant effect of tillage system on zinc content was recorded. No-till yielded slightly higher protein and zinc content than conventional tillage. Overall, the results indicated that shifting lentil production from a conventional tillage system to a no-till system would be of interest to increase lentil nutritional value.

This five-year study (2016–2021) across diverse Moroccan agro-climatic zones investigated genotype by environment (G × E) interactions in wheat, focusing on variations in agronomic traits and quality attributes such as protein and gluten content. Significant environmental effects were observed on key traits, like yield, thousand kernel weight (TKW), and spikes per square meter (Spk/m²), highlighting environmental factors’ role in wheat yield variability. In the Tassaout (TST) location, notable genotypic effects emerged for traits like biomass, underscoring genetic factors’ importance in specific contexts, while in Sidi El Aidi (SEA) and Marchouch (MCH), genotypic effects on yield and its components were predominantly absent, indicating a more substantial environmental influence. These findings illustrate the complexity of G × E interactions and the need for breeding strategies considering genetic potential and environmental adaptability, especially given the trade-offs between yield enhancement and quality maintenance. Insights from the biplot and heatmap analyses enhanced the understanding of genotypes’ dynamic interactions with environmental factors, establishing a basis for strategic genotype selection and management to optimize wheat yield and quality. This research contributes to sustainable wheat breeding in Morocco, aligning with global efforts to adapt wheat breeding strategies to changing climatic conditions.