Agroforestry is a promising way to sustain land use efficiency in semi-arid areas. In this study, we introduce quinoa as a drought- and salinity-tolerant crop in olive-based agroforestry. We investigated how the microclimate created by olive trees affects agronomic and biochemical traits in quinoa and evaluated the performance of this new olive-based agroforestry system in terms of land equivalent ratio (LER). Field experiments were carried out under two pedoclimatic conditions (S1) and (S2) using a randomized complete block design with two cropping systems (sole crop (SCS) and agroforestry (AFS) systems), four quinoa cultivars (Puno, Titicaca, ICBA-Q5, and ICBA-Q4) and one olive orchard as a control (OR) in each block. Our results show that AFS had lower grain yield (−45%), dry biomass (−49%), and crop water productivity (−44%), but higher plant height (12%), grain protein (4%), saponin (26%), total polyphenol (12%), and DPPH (9%) contents compared to SCS. The highest grain yield was recorded for Titicaca and ICBA-Q5 (1.6 t ha⁻¹). The LER ranged from 1.57 to 2.07, indicating that the overall productivity was 57% to 107% higher in the agroforestry system compared with the monoculture. We suggest that quinoa–olive tree intercropping could be a promising agroecological practice under semi-arid conditions.

Salinity is a major problem, impeding soil productivity, agricultural sustainability, and food security, particularly in dry regions. This study integrates quinoa, a facultative halophyte, into a pomegranate-based agroforestry with saline irrigation in northeast Morocco. We aim to explore this agroforestry model’s potential in mitigating salinity’s effects on quinoa’s agronomic and biochemical traits and evaluate the land equivalent ratio (LER). Field experiments in 2020 and 2021 used a randomized block design with three replicates, including monocropping and agroforestry systems, two salinity levels (1.12 and 10.5 dS m⁻¹), four quinoa genotypes (Titicaca, Puno, ICBA-Q4, ICBA-Q5), and a pomegranate control. Salinity significantly decreased total dry matter (40.5%), root dry matter (50.7%), leaf dry matter (39.2%), and root-to-shoot ratio (7.7%). The impact was more severe in monoculture than in agroforestry, reducing dry matter (47.6% vs. 30.7%), grain yield (46.3% vs. 26.1%), water productivity (47.5% vs. 23.9%), and total sugar (19.2% vs. 5.6%). LER averaged 1.86 to 2.21, indicating 86–121% higher productivity in agroforestry. LER averaged 1.85 at 1.12 dS m⁻¹ and 2.18 at 10.5 dS m⁻¹, reaching 2.21 with pomegranate-ICBA-Q5 combination. Quinoa–pomegranate agroforestry emerges as an innovative strategy, leveraging quinoa’s salt resistance and agroforestry’s potential to mitigate salinity impacts while enhancing land use efficiency.

Salinity is becoming a serious threat to global food security, as it can significantly reduce crop yields and irreversibly damage soil fertility. Moreover, this problem is currently exacerbated by the impact of climate change, especially in drylands. Hence, introducing and adapting salinity-tolerant species, such as quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa, Willd.), could be among the ways to enhance the value of saline land, increasing its productivity and improving small farmers’ income in rural areas. Quinoa, originally cultivated in the Andean region, has gained more attention throughout the Mediterranean region because it yields well even in marginal soils. It is also considered one of the world’s healthiest foods, as its grains contain a balanced composition of minerals, vitamins, dietary fiber, fats, and high-quality, gluten-free proteins, with a balanced profile of all amino acids. In Morocco, quinoa was introduced in 2000, but its expansion is still limited to certain regions. In Eastern Morocco, for the first time, an experiment was carried out in 2019–2020 aiming to assess the response of five quinoa cultivars (INIA-420 Negra, Titicaca, Puno, ICBA-Q4 and ICBA-Q5) to saline irrigation. For this, we used two levels of water irrigation salinity: 1.50 dS.m⁻¹ as a no-salt control from Tagma’s source in Tafoghalt village and 10.5 dS.m⁻¹ as salt treatment from local water drilling. Agronomic parameters, mainly dry matter, leaf area, grain yield and 1000-kernel weight, were measured to assess quinoa cultivars’ responses to saline irrigation. Statistical analysis revealed that all investigated parameters were significantly affected by salinity, quinoa variety and their interaction (p < 0.05). Furthermore, significant differences in terms of salinity tolerance among the five quinoa cultivars were observed, with the highest (2.17 t.ha⁻¹) and lowest (0.33 t.ha⁻¹) yields recorded for ICBA-Q5 and INIA-420 Negra, respectively. However, the same varieties tested previously in Southern Morocco tolerated a higher level of salinity (12 dS.m⁻¹). We assume that other factors interfered with salinity and variety, such as the sowing date, which was relatively late and exposed the flowering and grain filling stages to high heat in May and June.

Fungal diseases are a yield-limiting factor for wheat. Their management in organic production systems is one of the prevailing challenges because it must be based mainly on indirect measures through agricultural practices. Variety mixtures are one of these practices, a concept that has been demonstrated to improve several factors affecting yield. Recently, it has become a practice that enables sustainability in agriculture. Our research aim is to evaluate the capacity of this practice to control three fungal diseases (foliar and ear) on durum wheat. This study was conducted over two consecutive years (2019 and 2020) at two locations: a certified organic farm in the Benslimane region (2019) and the National School of Agriculture farm in Meknes (2020). Four durum wheat varieties (Isly, Tarek, Karim, and Nassira) were used to create the mixture. The parameters that were monitored were the disease severity, the grain yield, and its components. The analysis of variance for the three fungal diseases’ severity was significant. The variety that showed resistance to all diseases was the Isly variety, and the most susceptible variety was the Nassira variety. The resistance of the other varieties to the diseases was variable from one year to the other. The mixture showed average severity values. It allowed a reduction in the severity of leaf rust of 47% during the first year and 30% during the second year compared to the most susceptible variety (Nassira). In the case of HLB (helminthosporiosis leaf blight), it reduced the disease by 47% during the first year and 34% during the 2020 season. For ear disease, Fusarium head blight (FHB), the reduction was 68% during the year 2019 and 49% during 2020. The mixture also ensured yield stability between the two trial years (1.66 t ha⁻¹ and 1.54 t ha⁻¹).

Morocco is increasingly vulnerable to climate change, as reflected by recurrent droughts and rising soil and groundwater salinization, which threaten staple crops and rural livelihoods. In this context, the introduction of drought- and salinity-tolerant crops such as quinoa represents a strategic option for enhancing agricultural resilience and supporting sustainable rural development. This study analyzes quinoa adoption in two contrasting Moroccan regions, Rehamna and the Oriental, with the aim of determining key socio-economic, institutional, and environmental drivers. Field surveys were conducted to collect data on farmers’ personal characteristics, farm attributes, and access to resources related to quinoa cultivation, including water, information, and credit. Data analysis combined descriptive statistics, a binary logistic regression model (Logit), Factorial Analysis for Mixed Data (FAMD), and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCPC) to identify adoption determinants and explore heterogeneity among farmers. The results reveal both common factors and region-specific dynamics shaping quinoa adoption. Cooperative membership emerges as a central determinant in both regions, facilitating access to information, collective learning, and market integration, with a stronger effect observed in the Oriental region. Water scarcity appears as a critical constraint, particularly in Rehamna. Adoption pathways also differ across regions, with a higher prevalence of direct adoption among farmers in the Oriental. Interpreted through the lens of innovation diffusion and multidimensional sustainability, the findings show that quinoa adoption is not merely a technical choice but a socio-economic adaptation strategy. Quinoa should therefore be considered a complementary crop within diversified farming systems, contributing to environmental resilience, income diversification, and social inclusion. These results provide relevant insights for the design of policies aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural innovation in marginal environments.