Mohamed FARISSI is a Professor of Agroecology, Agrophysiology and Plant-PGPR interactions. He is the head of the B2DRN Lab and the Vice-Dean for Scientific Research & Cooperation at Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Morocco. His main research activity focuses on enhancing resilience and adaptation to climate change in agriculture. He coordinates and leads several research projects funded by the European Union and national agencies. He has delivered seminars at prestigious institutions such as Sorbonne University, Ghent University, Milan University, and the CBBC Institute. He has authored more than 80 scientific articles published in peer-reviewed international journals.
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Agronomy and Crop Science, Plant Science, Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Soil Science
Interaction Between Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae and Pseudomonas alkylphenolica Enhances Faba Bean Growth and Resilience to Water Deficit Under Nitrogen-Fixing Conditions Mohamed Tamoudjout, Hamid Msaad, Soukaina Lahmaoui, Ahmed El Moukhtari, Cherki Ghoulam, et al. Nitrogen Switzerland, 2026 Water deficit is a major constraint limiting the growth and yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.). A pot experiment was conducted under controlled conditions to evaluate the effect of inoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae BIHB 1148 (strain F14) and Pseudomonas alkylphenolica PF9 (strain L13) on faba bean drought resilience. Two irrigation regimes were applied: well-watered (80% of field capacity) versus water-stressed (40% of field capacity). Strain F14 was used to ensure effective biological nitrogen fixation, while strain L13 was applied in co-inoculation to evaluate its biostimulatory effects. The control plants received nitrogen in its chemical form. Results indicated that water deficit significantly (p < 0.001) reduced plant growth, nodulation, and photosynthesis-related parameters, and increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, which are key markers of oxidative stress. However, co-inoculation with strains F14 and L13 significantly enhanced shoot and root biomass, as well as most agro-morphological traits. It also stimulated (p < 0.05) the antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase (3-fold), guaiacol peroxidase (12%), and catalase (104%), and increased proline content (119%), which led to lower levels of MDA (54% decrease) and H2O2 (55% decrease), improved membrane stability, water status, and enhanced photosynthesis. Overall, co-inoculation of faba bean with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae BIHB 1148 and Pseudomonas alkylphenolica PF9 offers a promising and sustainable approach to improve plant resilience under water deficit.
Biostimulatory Potential of Sargassum muticum Extracts in Enhancing Sesame Tolerance to Water Deficit During Germination and Seedling Growth Soukaina Lahmaoui, Hamid Msaad, Omar Farssi, Nadia Lamsaadi, Ahmed El Moukhtari, et al. New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 2026 Water deficit is a major abiotic stress that limits plant growth and productivity. This article evaluates the effectiveness of an aqueous seaweed extract (ASE) from Sargassum muticum as an ecofriendly biostimulant to alleviate water deficit stress during seed germination and early seedling growth of sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.). Sesame seeds were germinated for 8 days at 25 ± 1°C under distilled water (control) versus water deficit stress at −0.6 MPa induced using 22% polyethylene glycol 6000, with or without 10% ASE treatment. Water deficit significantly reduced germination parameters, delayed the time to 50% germination (T 50 ) by 202%, and impaired seedling growth through 79.2% and 66.7% reductions in shoot length and fresh weight, respectively. The stress condition triggered oxidative damage, evidenced by substantial increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) with 101.3%, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) with 155.8%, superoxide anion (O 2 − ), and electrolyte leakage (EL) with 190.4%. ASE treatment notably improved embryo viability, seed germination, and early seedling growth. Moreover, it enhanced antioxidant responses, leading to significant reductions in MDA (14.6%), H 2 O 2 (30.52%), O 2 − , and EL (52.0%). These findings demonstrate that ASE effectively mitigates water deficit‐induced oxidative stress and promotes early growth in sesame, highlighting its potential as a sustainable biostimulant for improving crop resilience under drought stress conditions.
Biostimulatory Effects of Foliar Application of Silicon and Sargassum muticum Extracts on Sesame Under Drought Stress Conditions Soukaina Lahmaoui, Rabaa Hidri, Hamid Msaad, Omar Farssi, Nadia Lamsaadi, et al. Plants, 2025 Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is widely cultivated for its valuable medicinal, aromatic, and oil-rich seeds. However, drought stress remains one of the most significant abiotic factors influencing its development, physiological function, and overall output. This study investigates the potential of foliar applications of silicon (Si), Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt extracts (SWE), and their combination to enhance drought tolerance and mitigate stress-induced damage in sesame. Plants were grown under well-watered conditions (80% field capacity, FC) versus 40% FC (drought conditions) and were treated with foliar applications of 1 mM Si, 10% SWE, or both. The results showed that the majority of the tested parameters were significantly (p < 0.05) lowered by drought stress. However, the combined application of Si and SWE significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced plant performance under drought stress, leading to improved growth, biomass accumulation, water status, and physiological traits. Gas exchange, photosynthetic pigment content, and photosystem activity (PSI and PSII) all increased significantly when SWE were given alone; PSII was more significantly affected. In contrast, Si alone had a more pronounced impact on PSI activity. These findings suggest that Si and SWE, applied individually or in combination, can effectively alleviate drought stress’s negative impact on sesame, supporting their use as promising biostimulants for enhancing drought tolerance.
Soil Management for Carbon Sequestration Taoufik El Rasafi, Ahmed El Moukhtari, Ayoub Haouas, Anas Tallou, Wassila Bouta, et al. Agroecological Approaches for Sustainable Soil Management, 2023
Isolation and characterization of endophytic actinomycetes associated with Thymus saturoides and Lavandula multifida grown in Beni-Mellal region in Morocco Journal of Biopesticides, 2021
Growth and nodulation in faba bean-rhizobia symbiosis under different soil phosphorus levels: Acid phosphatase and phosphorus deficiency tolerance Journal of Materials and Environmental Science, 2015
Growth, nutrients concentrations, and enzymes involved in plants nutrition of Alfalfa populations under saline conditions Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 2014
The effect of salinity on yield and forage quality of alfalfa populations in the Marrakech region (Morocco) Fourrages, 2014
Synergistic effects of durum wheat–chickpea intercropping on phosphorus mobilization, rhizosphere enzymatic activity, and agroecosystem productivity in semi-arid Mediterranean … A Souid, W Hamdi, A Attallah, B Louhichi, B L’taief, S Jellali, HH Lobna, ... Plant and Soil 521 (1), 563-581 , 2026 2026
Multi-scale analysis reveals beneficial effect of calcium silicate supply in alleviating salinity stress in Brassica napus L. seedlings A El Moukhtari, J Trouverie, N Lamsaadi, M Farissi, P Laîné, P Etienne Plant Stress, 101335 , 2026 2026
Biostimulatory Potential of Sargassum muticum Extracts in Enhancing Sesame Tolerance to Water Deficit During Germination and Seedling Growth S Lahmaoui, H Msaad, O Farssi, N Lamsaadi, A El Moukhtari, C Ghoulam, ... New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science 54 (1), e70022 , 2026 2026
Sargassum muticum extracts increase pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) germination and seedling growth under water deficit stress H Msaad, S Lahmaoui, O Farssi, N Lamsaadi, AE Moukhtari, C Ghoulam, ... Journal of Applied Phycology, 1-15 , 2026 2026
Interaction Between Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae and Pseudomonas alkylphenolica Enhances Faba Bean Growth and Resilience to Water Deficit Under … M Tamoudjout, H Msaad, S Lahmaoui, A El Moukhtari, C Ghoulam, ... Nitrogen 7 (1), 7 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Biostimulatory effect of silicon on Chia ( Salvia hispanica L.) salinity tolerance during seedling emergence N Lamsaadi, A El Moukhtari, C Ghoulam, M Farissi Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 47 (12), 111 , 2025 2025
Uptake and competition between cadmium nanoparticles and essential nutrients (Fe, Mg and Mn) in Phaseolus vulgaris L. using a molecular docking approach A El Moukhtari, N Lamsaadi, M Bouhadi, O Abchir, S Chtita, K Samir, ... Euro-Mediterranean journal for environmental integration 10 (5), 3717-3727 , 2025 2025 Citations: 6
Priming enhances germination and reserve mobilisation in quinoa seeds under salt stress MR Bourhim, A El Mouttaqi, F Oukhey, M Farissi, A Khadraji, A Qaddoury, ... Seed Science and Technology 53 (2), 311-326 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Biostimulatory Effects of Foliar Application of Silicon and Sargassum muticum Extracts on Sesame Under Drought Stress Conditions S Lahmaoui, R Hidri, H Msaad, O Farssi, N Lamsaadi, A El Moukhtari, ... Plants 14 (15), 2358 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
The combination of exogenous silicon and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria improves water deficit tolerance in chickpea H Kamal, O Farssi, C Ghoulam, M Farissi Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology 28 (3), 335-349 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Exogenous Proline Supply Improves Growth, Antioxidant Defense System, and Nutrient Homeostasis in Salt-Stressed Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) A El Moukhtari, C Cabassa, N Durand, M Farissi, A Savouré Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 25 (2), 3603-3614 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Key Plant Transcription Factors in Crop Tolerance to Abiotic Stresses N Lamsaadi, O Maarouf, S Lahmaoui, H Msaad, O Farssi, C Hamim, ... Phyton 94 (11), 3585 , 2025 2025
Evaluating the STICS Soil-Crop Model on durum wheat-chickpea intercropping system under the semi-arid conditions of Southern Tunisia A Attallah, W Hamdi, K Van Den Meersche, A Souid, D Kucher, ... Estonian University of Life Sciences , 2025 2025
The potential role of durum wheat–chickpea intercropping in promoting plant growth and yield in low soil phosphorus availability under field conditions A Oubenali, A El Moukhtari, N Lamsaadi, A Beraouz, M Mouradi, ... Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration 9 (3), 1325-1345 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Molecular approaches to improve legume salt stress tolerance A El Moukhtari, N Lamsaadi, C Cabassa, M Farissi, A Savouré Plant Molecular Biology Reporter 42 (3), 469-482 , 2024 2024 Citations: 22
Biofertilizer and biostimulant potentials of phosphate-solubilizing Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis M1 strain and silicon in improving low phosphorus availability … H Msaad, N Lamsaadi, O Farssi, A Oubenali, S Lahmaoui, A Boulli, ... Letters in Applied Microbiology 77 (8), ovae072 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Biostimulatory effects of ascorbic acid in improving plant growth, photosynthesis-related parameters and mitigating oxidative damage in alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L … A El Moukhtari, N Lamsaadi, M Farissi Biologia 79 (8), 2375-2385 , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
Exploring the stimulatory potential of silicon on embryo reserve mobilization, osmoregulation and antioxidant system during seed germination and early seedling growth of … K Habiba, F Omar, L Mohamed, G Cherki, F Mohamed Silicon 16 (11), 4797-4809 , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Enhancing Fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Productivity and Seed Quality through Silicon-Based Seed Priming under Salt-Stressed Conditions N Lamsaadi, H Ellouzi, W Zorrig, A El Moukhtari, C Abdelly, A Savouré, ... Russian Journal of Plant Physiology 71 (3), 70 , 2024 2024 Citations: 17
Impact of Cereal–Legume intercropping on changes in soil nutrients contents under Semi–Arid conditions A Attallah, W Hamdi, A Souid, M Farissi, B L’taief, AJ Messiga, ... Sustainability 16 (7), 2725 , 2024 2024 Citations: 9
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
How does proline treatment promote salt stress tolerance during crop plant development? A El Moukhtari, C Cabassa-Hourton, M Farissi, A Savouré Frontiers in plant science 11, 1127 , 2020 2020 Citations: 519
Growth and nodulation of alfalfa-rhizobia symbiosis under salinity: electrolyte leakage, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll fluorescence L Latrach, M Farissi, M Mouradi, B Makoudi, A Bouizgaren, C Ghoulam Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry 38 (3), 320-326 , 2014 2014 Citations: 105
Reuse of treated wastewater in agriculture: solving water deficit problems in arid areas F Aziz, M Farissi Annals of West University of Timisoara: Series of Biology 17 (2) , 2014 2014 Citations: 102
Agro-physiological responses of Moroccan alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) populations to salt stress during germination and early seedling stages M Farissi, A Bouizgaren, M Faghire, A Bargaz, C Ghoulam Seed Science and Technology 39 (2), 389-401 , 2011 2011 Citations: 97
Seed osmopriming improves plant growth, nodulation, chlorophyll fluorescence and nutrient uptake in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)–rhizobia symbiosis under drought stress M Mouradi, A Bouizgaren, M Farissi, L Latrach, A Qaddoury, C Ghoulam Scientia Horticulturae 213, 232-242 , 2016 2016 Citations: 91
Low Soil Phosphorus Availability Increases Acid Phosphatases Activities and Affects P Partitioning in Nodules, Seeds and Rhizosphere of Phaseolus vulgaris A Bargaz, M Faghire, N Abdi, M Farissi, B Sifi, JJ Drevon, ... Agriculture 2 (2), 139-153 , 2012 2012 Citations: 90
Physiological and molecular aspects of tolerance to environmental constraints in grain and forage legumes A Bargaz, M Zaman-Allah, M Farissi, M Lazali, JJ Drevon, RT Maougal, ... International Journal of Molecular Sciences 16 (8), 18976-19008 , 2015 2015 Citations: 76
Effects of water deficit on growth, nodulation and physiological and biochemical processes in Medicago sativa-rhizobia symbiotic association M Mouradi, M Farissi, A Bouizgaren, B Makoudi, A Kabbadj, AA Very, ... Arid Land Research and Management 30 (2), 193-208 , 2016 2016 Citations: 71
Silicon improves physiological, biochemical, and morphological adaptations of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) during salinity stress C Pierre, M Mohammed, S Arnould, F Mohamed Symbiosis 85 (3), 305-324 , 2021 2021 Citations: 69
Effect of salinity on nodulation, nitrogen fixation and growth of common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris) inoculated with rhizobial strains isolated from the Haouz region … M Faghire, A Bargaz, M Farissi, F Palma, B Mandri, C Lluch, NAT García, ... Symbiosis 55 (2), 69-75 , 2011 2011 Citations: 67
Osmopriming improves seeds germination, growth, antioxidant responses and membrane stability during early stage of Moroccan alfalfa populations under water deficit M Mouradi, A Bouizgaren, M Farissi, B Makoudi, A Kabbadj, AA Very, ... Chilean journal of agricultural research 76 (3), 265-272 , 2016 2016 Citations: 64
Changes in water deficit saturation and photosynthetic pigments of alfalfa populations under salinity and assessment of proline role in salt tolerance M Farissi, C Ghoulam, A Bouizgaren Agric. Sci. Res. J 3 (1), 29-35 , 2013 2013 Citations: 63
Effect of faba bean (Vicia faba L.)–rhizobia symbiosis on barley's growth, phosphorus uptake and acid phosphatase activity in the intercropping system M Mouradi, M Farissi, B Makoudi, A Bouizgaren, C Ghoulam Annals of Agrarian Science 16 (3), 297-303 , 2018 2018 Citations: 60
Oxidative stress in the root nodules of Phaseolus vulgaris is induced under conditions of phosphorus deficiency A Bargaz, M Faghire, M Farissi, JJ Drevon, C Ghoulam Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 35 (5), 1633-1644 , 2013 2013 Citations: 57
Growth, nutrients concentrations, and enzymes involved in plants nutrition of alfalfa populations under saline conditions MM Farissi, MM Faghire, AA Bargaz, A Bouizgaren, B Makoudi, ... Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology (JAST) 16 (2), 301-314 , 2014 2014 Citations: 51
Assessment of summer drought tolerance variability in Mediterranean alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars under Moroccan fields conditions A Bouizgaren, M Farissi, C Ghoulam, R Kallida, M Faghire, M Barakate, ... Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science 59 (1), 147-160 , 2013 2013 Citations: 46
Recent progress on emerging technologies for trace elements-contaminated soil remediation T El Rasafi, A Haouas, A Tallou, M Chakouri, Y Aallam, A El Moukhtari, ... Chemosphere 341, 140121 , 2023 2023 Citations: 41
Agrophysiological and biochemical properties associated with adaptation of Medicago sativa populations to water deficit M Farissi, A Bouizgaren, M Faghire, A Bargaz, C Ghoulam Turkish Journal of Botany 37 (6), 1166-1175 , 2013 2013 Citations: 41
How silicon alleviates the effect of abiotic stresses during seed germination: A review A El Moukhtari, M Ksiaa, W Zorrig, C Cabassa, C Abdelly, M Farissi, ... Journal of Plant Growth Regulation 42 (6), 3323-3341 , 2023 2023 Citations: 40
Differential expression of trehalose 6-P phosphatase and ascorbate peroxidase transcripts in nodule cortex of Phaseolus vulgaris and regulation of nodule O2 permeability A Bargaz, M Lazali, L Amenc, J Abadie, C Ghoulam, M Farissi, M Faghire, ... Planta 238 (1), 107-119 , 2013 2013 Citations: 33