Objective: This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) in a sample of Moroccan students. Method: A total of 208 Moroccan students participated in this study. The dimensionality of the DASS-21 scale was assessed using exploratory factor analysis. Construct validity was assessed using the Stress Perception (PSS-10), State Anxiety (SAI), and Depression (CESD-10) scales. Results: Correlation analyses between Depression, Anxiety, and Stress subscales showed significant results. The exploratory factor analysis results confirmed the DASS’s three-dimensional structure. Furthermore, correlation analyses revealed positive correlations between the DASS-18 sub-dimensions and the three scales for Stress (PSS-10), Anxiety (SAI), and Depression (CESD-10). Conclusion: In line with previous work, the results of this study suggest that the DASS-18 reflect adequate psychometric properties, making it an appropriate tool for use in the university context.

A comprehensive proteomic analysis was carried out to evaluate leaf proteome changes of Brassica napus cultivars as an important oilseed crop inoculated with the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens FY32 under salt stress. Based on the physiochemical characteristics of canola, Hyola308 was a tolerant and Sarigol was a salt sensitive cultivar. Gel-based proteomics indicated that proteins related to energy/metabolism, cell/membrane maintenance, signalins, stress, and development respond to salt stress and bacterial inoculation in both cultivars. Under salt stress, Hyola308 launches mechanisms similar to Sarigol, but the tolerance was related to consuming less energy consumption than Sarigol for launching the proper pathway/mechanism. Inoculation with plant growth promoting bacteria promotes relative growth rate and net assimilation rate; causes increase in soluble sugar content (12–32% varing to cultivars and salt treatments), as an osmo-protectant, in leaves of Sarigol and Hyola308 in control and salt stress conditions. The groups of proteins that are affected due to inoculation (18 and14 functional groups in Hyola308 and Sarigol, respectively) are varying to stress-influenced groups (10 and 6 functional groups in Hyola308 and Sarigol, respectively) that might be because of regulating tolerance mechanism of plant and/or plant-growth promoting bacteria inoculation. Furthermore, it is recognized that P. fluorescens FY32 has a dual effect on the cultivars including a pathogenic effect and a growth promoting effect on both cultivars under salt stress.

In higher eukaryotes, the genes’ architecture has become an essential determinant of the variation in the number of transcripts (expression level) and the specificity of gene expression in plant tissue under stress conditions. The modern rise in genome-wide analysis accounts for summarizing the essential factors through the translocation of gene networks in a regulatory manner. Stress tolerance genes are in two groups: structural genes, which code for proteins and enzymes that directly protect cells from stress (such as genes for transporters, osmo-protectants, detoxifying enzymes, etc.), and the genes expressed in regulation and signal transduction (such as transcriptional factors (TFs) and protein kinases). The genetic regulation and protein activity arising from plants’ interaction with minerals and abiotic and biotic stresses utilize high-efficiency molecular profiling. Collecting gene expression data concerning gene regulation in plants towards focus predicts an acceptable model for efficient genomic tools. Thus, this review brings insights into modifying the expression study, providing a valuable source for assisting the involvement of genes in plant growth and metabolism-generating gene databases. The manuscript significantly contributes to understanding gene expression and regulation in plants, particularly under stress conditions. Its insights into stress tolerance mechanisms have substantial implications for crop improvement, making it highly relevant and valuable to the field.

Banana (Musa spp.) productivity is limited by sodic soils, which impairs root growth and nutrient uptake. Analyzing root traits under stress conditions can aid in identifying tolerant genotypes. This study investigates the root morphological traits of banana cultivars under sodic soil stress conditions using Rhizovision software. The pot culture experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) under open field conditions, with treatments comprising the following varieties: Poovan (AAB), Udhayam (ABB), Karpooravalli (ABB), CO 3 (ABB), Kaveri Saba (ABB), Kaveri Kalki (ABB), Kaveri Haritha (ABB), Monthan (ABB), Nendran (AAB), and Rasthali (AAB), each replicated thrice. Parameters such as the number of roots, root tips, diameter, surface area, perimeter, and volume were assessed to evaluate the performance of different cultivars. The findings reveal that Karpooravali and Udhayam cultivars exhibited superior performance in terms of root morphology compared to other cultivars under sodic soil stress. These cultivars displayed increased root proliferation, elongation, and surface area, indicating their resilience to sodic soil stress. The utilization of Rhizovision software facilitated precise measurement and analysis of root traits, providing valuable insights into the adaptation mechanisms of banana cultivars to adverse soil conditions.

Horticultural crops are rich in constituents such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals important for human health. Under biotic and abiotic stress conditions, rhizospheric bacteria are powerful sources of phytohormones such as indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA), abscisic acid (ABA) and Plant growth regulators including cytokines, ammonia, nitrogen, siderophores, phosphate, and extra cellular enzymes. These phytohormones help horticultural crops grow both directly and indirectly. In recent agricultural practices, the massive use of chemical fertilizers causes a major loss of agricultural land that can be resolved by using the potent plant growth-promoting rhizospheric bacteria that protect the agricultural and horticultural crops from the adverse effect of phytopathogens and increase crop quality and yield. This review highlights the role of multifunctional rhizospheric bacteria in the growth promotion of horticultural crops in greenhouse conditions and agricultural fields. The relevance of plant growth hormones in horticultural crops highlighted in the current study is crucial for sustainable agriculture.

Water scarcity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, is a critical issue affecting forest management. This study investigates the effects of drought stress on the water requirement and morphological characteristics of two important tree species Turkish pine and Chinaberry. Using a factorial design, the study examines the impact of three age stages (one-year-old, three-year-old, and five-year-old plants) and three levels of drought stress on these species. Microlysimeters of varying sizes were employed to simulate different drought conditions. Soil moisture was monitored to show the effect of the various irrigation schedules. The study also calculated reference crop evapotranspiration (ET₀) using the PMF-56 method and developed plant coefficients (Kc) for the species. Results showed that evapotranspiration increased with soil moisture, peaking during summer and decreasing in winter. Turkish pine exhibited higher plant ET than Chinaberry, particularly among one-year-old seedlings. Drought stress significantly reduced evapotranspiration and water uses for both species, highlighting the importance of efficient water management in afforestation projects. The findings underscore the necessity of selecting drought-resistant species and optimizing irrigation practices to enhance the sustainability of green spaces in arid regions. These insights are crucial for improving urban forestry management and mitigating the impacts of water scarcity in Iran and similar climates globally.