Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Moroccan Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Varieties to Salinity Stress: Implications for Environmental Stress Adaptation

Authors

  • Karima Hbyaj

    Natural Resources and Sustainable Development Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra BP 133, Morocco; Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Tangier, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Rabat 10090, Morocco
  • Yassine Mouniane

    Natural Resources and Sustainable Development Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra BP 133, Morocco
  • Nouhaila El-Khayat

    Natural Resources and Sustainable Development Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra BP 133, Morocco
  • Naira Sbbar

    Centre of Agrobiotechnology and Bioengineering, Research Unit Labeled CNRST (Centre AgroBiotech URL-CNRST 05), “Physiology of Abiotic Stresses” Team, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
  • Abdelilah Meddich

    Centre of Agrobiotechnology and Bioengineering, Research Unit Labeled CNRST (Centre AgroBiotech URL-CNRST 05), “Physiology of Abiotic Stresses” Team, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
  • Fadma El Abdellaoui

    Education, Environment & Health Research Laboratory, Centre Régional des Métiers de l’Éducation et de la Formation (CRMEF), Rabat 11000, Morocco
  • Youssef Haouazine

    Education, Environment & Health Research Laboratory, Centre Régional des Métiers de l’Éducation et de la Formation (CRMEF), Rabat 11000, Morocco
  • Aicha El Oualkadi

    Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Tangier, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Rabat 10090, Morocco
  • Driss Hmouni

    Natural Resources and Sustainable Development Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra BP 133, Morocco

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i2.11910
Received: 2 September 2025 | Revised: 27 November 2025 | Accepted: 8 December 2025 | Published Online: 20 March 2026

Abstract

Salinity is a major environmental constraint limiting grapevine growth, productivity, and long-term sustainability, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Understanding the mechanisms underlying varietal tolerance is therefore essential for improving vineyard resilience. This study evaluated four Moroccan grapevine varieties (Bezoul Awda, Sbiea Bnat, Zbarjel, and Krichi) subjected to increasing NaCl concentrations, using morphological, physiological, biochemical, and enzymatic indicators. Salinity significantly reduced shoot and root growth, biomass accumulation, photosynthetic pigments, and relative water content across all cultivars. Conversely, stress-related metabolites such as proline, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide increased markedly, reflecting enhanced oxidative pressure. Antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase) exhibited strong activation, suggesting the triggering of defense pathways to mitigate cellular damage. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations among growth and morpho-physiological traits, and negative correlations between these traits and stress indicators. Conversely, antioxidant activities were positively correlated with salinity intensity. Principal component analysis showed that Bezoul Awda and Krichi displayed better growth maintenance and water balance under stress, indicating stronger tolerance strategies compared with Sbiea Bnat and Zbarjel, which exhibited higher biochemical stress responses. Hierarchical clustering grouped SB and KC as tolerant cultivars, whereas ZL and BA formed a more sensitive group. Overall, the integration of morpho-physiological and biochemical markers proved effective in differentiating tolerance mechanisms and identifying grapevine genotypes adapted to saline environments.

Keywords:

Salt Stress; Moroccan Grapevine; Oxidative Stress; Enzymatic Antioxidants; Salt Tolerance

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Hbyaj, K., Mouniane, Y., El-Khayat, N., Sbbar, N., Meddich, A., Abdellaoui, F. E., Haouazine, Y., Oualkadi, A. E., & Hmouni, D. (2026). Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Moroccan Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Varieties to Salinity Stress: Implications for Environmental Stress Adaptation. Research in Ecology, 8(2), 135–153. https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i2.11910

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Vol.8, Iss.2 (April 2026)(in progress)

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Copyright © 2026 Karima Hbyaj, Yassine Mouniane, Nouhaila El-Khayat, Naira Sbbar, Abdelilah Meddich, Fadma El Abdellaoui, Youssef Haouazine, Aicha El Oualkadi, Driss Hmouni

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