In the heart of Morocco’s agricultural landscape, a groundbreaking study is reshaping the way farmers approach agroforestry systems, particularly those integrating durum wheat with almond trees. The research, led by Wafae Sellami from the INRA Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Meknes, and published in the ‘African and Mediterranean Agricultural Journal – Al Awamia’, offers promising insights into optimizing crop productivity and resilience through strategic varietal selection.
The study evaluated six durum wheat varieties over two years, comparing their performance under sunny and shaded microenvironments within almond-based agroforestry, as well as in monoculture conditions. The findings reveal that the durum wheat variety Nachit demonstrated remarkable shade tolerance, outperforming other varieties in shaded environments. “Nachit achieved the highest yield under shaded conditions, confirming its strong adaptability to tree–crop interactions,” Sellami noted.
In the first year, Nachit’s yield was 36% higher than that of Karim under shaded conditions. Conversely, Kyperounda (2777) thrived in sunny environments, outyielding Nachit by 31%. The second year’s results showed Cocorit slightly outperforming Nachit under shaded conditions, while Nachit excelled in sunny environments. Notably, Cocorit performed substantially better than both Karim and Nachit in monoculture plots, suggesting that Nachit is more suited to agroforestry systems.
The study also delved into the biochemical aspects, measuring proline and soluble sugar contents. Although differences were not statistically significant, proline levels were higher under sunny conditions in the first year, indicating increased stress. In the second year, higher proline accumulation occurred under shaded conditions, reflecting the impact of varying climatic conditions.
The commercial implications of this research are substantial. Farmers can now make more informed decisions about varietal selection based on specific microenvironmental conditions, enhancing resource-use efficiency and overall productivity. As Sellami explained, “This study underscores the importance of context-specific varietal selection and highlights the strong genotype × microenvironment interaction in almond–wheat systems.”
The findings also emphasize the need for further research across diverse soil types, rainfall regimes, and tree management practices. This will help optimize agroforestry performance in various Moroccan agroecosystems, paving the way for more sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.
In an era where climate change and resource scarcity are pressing concerns, this research offers a beacon of hope for the agriculture sector. By leveraging the unique adaptabilities of different durum wheat varieties, farmers can enhance the productivity and resilience of their agroforestry systems, ensuring food security and economic stability. The study’s insights are not just academically significant but also practically applicable, making it a valuable resource for farmers, agronomists, and policymakers alike.