In Morocco's arid regions, cereals are grown under rainfed circumstances. They face many types of drought stress in these conditions. Furthermore, under such conditions, nitrogen fertilization represents a significant challenge for wheat, Morocco's most important cereal.

This study explores the interplay between nitrogen doses and seeding rates on wheat yield, biomass, and protein content, utilizing precision agricultural tools such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD), and canopy temperature (CT). Our results show that an intermediate nitrogen dose (60 kg/ha) combined with a moderate seed rate (400 seeds/m2) substantially enhances wheat yield by 22.95%, surpassing other combinations.

Additionally, reduced nitrogen levels significantly increase protein content, demonstrating wheat's adaptive mechanisms to enhance protein synthesis under nitrogen constraints. NDVI analysis underscores pronounced growth during the tillering phase with high nitrogen, highlighting the importance of early-stage nutrient management. SPAD measurements further reveal that early nitrogen applications significantly boost chlorophyll content, essential for vigorous early growth, while CT data indicates optimal nitrogen and seed rates can modulate plant stress responses effectively.

As crops mature, the predictive capacity of NDVI declines, indicating the need for adjusted nitrogen strategies. Collectively, these findings advocate for a refined management of nitrogen and seeding rates, integrating NDVI, SPAD, and CT assessments to not only boost yields but also advance sustainable agricultural practices, optimizing crop performance while minimizing environmental impacts.