Effect of Salinity and Drought Stress on the Morpho-Physiological and Biochemical Traits of Salvia verbenaca from Eastern Morocco

¹ Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Oujda, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco
² Laboratory for the Improvement of Agricultural Production, Biotechnology and Environment, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco
³ Laboratory of Bioresources, Biotechnology, Ethnopharmacology and Health, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

This study evaluates the morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses of two provenances of Salvia verbenaca (Chwihiya and Ain Almou, Eastern Morocco) subjected to different intensities of water and salt stress. Salt and water stress followed a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Morphological (plant height, number of branches, stem diameter, leaf area), physiological (chlorophyll content), and biochemical (proline and soluble sugars) parameters were recorded for two months. The results showed that reduced water supply and increased NaCl concentration led to a significant decrease in vegetative growth, stem diameter and length, number of leaves and leaf area, as well as a decrease in chlorophyll content. At the same time, proline and soluble sugar contents increase significantly under stress. The Chwihiya provenance shows better morphological and physiological stability, combined with more efficient accumulation of soluble sugars, indicating greater tolerance to water and salt stress. These findings highlight the role of intraspecific variation in S. verbenaca resistance and underscore the potential of the Chwihiya provenance for conservation and cultivation in arid and saline environments.