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Cumin is a high-potential crop with great demand all over the world. Consequently, its cultivation is expanding rapidly worldwide, including in Morocco, where it is increasingly grown as an alternative cash crop, particularly in oases. The selection of high-performance genotypes adapted to oases and the initiation of local seed production are among the main goals of the INRA1-ORMVATF2 agreement for the development and promotion of cumin in Alnif cercle. Therefore, a preliminary survey was conducted among 69 farmers in Morocco to assess seed diversity, potential yields, and associated cultivation techniques. Cumin is primarily cultivated in three regions: Marrakech-Safi, Draâ-Tafilalet, and Oriental. Cumin cultivation is mostly associated with the rain-fed system (28%) in the Marrakech-Safi region, while in other regions, it is conducted under drip irrigation (23%) and gravity-fed irrigation (49%). Farmers employ various fertilizers and phytosanitary products, reflecting different levels of agricultural knowledge and practices. According to farmers, yields vary significantly, ranging from 0.5 to 11.5 q/ha, with an average of 3.7±2.4 q/ha across Morocco. The yield average is 3.0 q/ha in the rain-fed system, slightly lower than the 4.1 q/ha recorded in irrigated systems. Farmers in Marrakech-Safi rely on local seeds, whereas farmers in other regions, use a mixture of non-certified seeds from several countries. Sowing is generally performed along rows or through broadcasting. Seed rates range from 3 to 41 kg/ha, exceeding the internationally recommended doses. The study revealed significant morphological differences between local and imported seeds. The local seeds were highly pilose, whereas the imported seeds were glabrous, scabrid, or slightly pubescent. Thus, the cultivation of cumin in Morocco warrants increased attention to enhance productivity and sustain its development.

Teucrium mideltense (Batt.) Humbert (T. mideltense) is an endemic Moroccan species that grows exclusively in the Oriental High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. In this work, we aim at determining the chemical profile and biological properties of the traditionally used aqueous extract of this plant. HPLC analysis, estimation of the amounts of total phenolic compounds including flavonoids, and in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated according to the literature procedures (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP). Additionally, safety assessment was carried out according to the organization for economic cooperation and development guidelines and the anti-hyperlipidemic activity was evaluated in triton-induced hyperlipidemic rat model. Our findings revealed that the aqueous extract of this plant contains significant amounts of phenolic compounds (91.94 mg GAE/gE) including flavonoids (27.41 mg RE/gE). HPLC analysis revealed the presence of vanillic acid, hesperidin, and rutin. Moreover, a considerable in vitro antioxidant effect was evaluated (DPPH IC50 = 36.10± 0.02 μg/mL; ABTS IC50 = 34.98± 1.31 μg/mL; FRAP EC50 = 129.74±2.18 μg/mL). Furthermore, T. mideltense (Batt.) Maire extract exerted significant lipid-lowering effects by reducing the levels of total cholesterol (-88.78%), triglycerides (-62.12%), and non-HDL cholesterol (-68.37%). We conclude that the supplementation with the aqueous extract of T. mideltense would be effective in lowering lipids under hyperlipidemic conditions.

The aim of this study is to present the seasonal variation of organic matter (OM), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the bottom sediments of Marchica Lagoon, a post-restorated lagoon located in the Moroccan Mediterranean, and to estimate the potential role of the geochemistry and granulometry of bottom sediments in the retention of old eutrophication. The organic index of bottom sediment was found generally higher in old-eutrophic and enclosed areas. The surface sediments show variable levels of OM, TOC, TP, and TN; high in some cases (12.3%, 6.71%, 0.70%, and 0.30% respectively). These high levels were recorded in the central part of the lagoon and in areas subjected to high anthropogenic pressure, including wastewater discharges. Our results indicated that sediments are an excellent immobilizer of organic matter (C, N, and P), although, there was no correlation between sediment grain size and organic matter content. The absence of correlation might be explained by currentology and hydrodynamics, but also by the bathymetry of the lagoon. Therefore, sediments must be implicated in any lagoon restoration strategy and the site development plan.

Thymus satureioides Cosson is an endemic chamaephyte to Morocco and Algeria. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family and commonly used in traditional medicine. Its over-exploitation threatens its sustainability in many ecosystems in Morocco. This study aims to explore the effect of environmental factors (temperature and storage) on the germination capacity of the seeds of this species in order to contribute to contribute to the rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems of T. satureioides. Accordingly, seeds collected from natural plant populations were subjected to six alternating temperatures (40/25, 35/20, 30/15, 20/10, 15/5 and 10/0 °C with a 14/10 hr. thermoperiod) and three storage duration (3 years, 5 years and 8 years) under ambient laboratory conditions. The results indicate that the alternating temperature and the seed storage duration have a significant effect on the germination parameters according to the test of Student Newman and Keuls (SNK). The highest germination percentage 93% was recorded for the alternating temperature of 15/05 °C, while high alternating temperature 40/25 °C strongly inhibited the seed germination. The 20/10 °C temperature regime was the best in terms of higher capacity and speed germination as indicated by the germination index (7.7 %/day for 20/10 °C versus 0.5 %/day for 10/0 °C). Furthermore, these results show that seed stored for longer duration delayed germination and decreased the germination capacity and rate. Seeds stored at room condition retain seeds viability up to 3 years. However, after 5 and 8 years of storing, the germination percentage was significantly reduced (75.0 and 64.5% respectively), which also suggests a reduction of seed viability.