## 4 Results and Discussion
### Mitigation Strategies for Dry Lentils: A Challenge and Opportunities  
Lentil crops face significant environmental challenges, including heat stress, water scarcity, and salinity [69]. High temperatures during the reproductive phase can severely reduce yields by impairing pollen viability, seed set, and grain filling. Heat-tolerant genotypes are better equipped to withstand these conditions. Water stress, particularly when combined with high temperatures, can significantly reduce grain yields by more than half [70; 71]. Drought-tolerant varieties with deeper root systems and earlier phenology are better suited to water-scarce environments. Enhancing water use efficiency and breeding for drought tolerance are essential strategies. Salinity negatively impacts seed germination, seedling growth, soil fertility, and stability [72; 73]. However, within certain salinity thresholds (i.e., 0.25 g/L of NaCl), lentil yields can increase significantly, reaching up to 932 kg/ha compared to rainfed conditions (ca. 399 kg/ha) [74]. Salt-tolerant genotypes with improved ion regulation and antioxidant activity perform better under saline conditions. Additionally, the interaction between lentil genotypes and salt-tolerant _Rhizobium_ strains is crucial for enhancing growth and yield. To mitigate these challenges, several strategies can be employed:  
* Improved irrigation efficiency: Advanced techniques like drip irrigation can reduce water consumption and energy use. * Sustainable agricultural practices: Organic fertilizers, crop rotation, and cover crops can enhance soil health and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs. * Salt tolerance: Breeding salt-tolerant varieties and managing soil salinity through drainage and amendments can improve crop performance. * Mulching and water management: Mulching techniques, such as using rice straw much [75], can help conserve soil moisture, regulate temperature, and reduce evaporation, all of which significantly impact crop yield [76]. * Renewable energy: Transitioning to renewable energy sources can reduce GHG emissions. Future research should focus on developing climate-resilient lentil varieties, improving agricultural practices, and exploring the potential of mulching models to quantify water loss in agriculture. In regions with insufficient or irregular precipitation, supplemental irrigation can be a crucial tool for mitigating risks and stabilizing production. However, it is essential to balance the benefits of irrigation with potential environmental impacts, such as salinization. As a result of this LCA study, to minimize the environmental impact of lentil cultivation, particularly in regions with water scarcity such as Morocco, effective mitigation strategies must prioritize the primary environmental impacts of the agricultural phase, particularly land use. Supplemental irrigation (SI) emerges as a crucial tool for mitigating the risks associated with unpredictable weather and stabilizing production. Supplemental irrigation, measured in millimeters (mm), represents the depth of water uniformly applied to a field. For example, 10 mm of supplemental irrigation corresponds to a water volume of 100 m\({}^{3}\) per hectare. A study at ICARDA's research station in Tel Hadja, Syria, found a linear relationship between lentil grain yield (Y\({}_{\text{g}}\)) and total field water supply (W\({}_{\text{r+i}}\)), with a correlation coefficient (r\({}^{2}\)) of 0.64 [19]. This underscores the importance of supplemental irrigation for maximizing lentil production in regions with limited rainfall. However, a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is necessary to evaluate the trade-offs between yield increases and potential negative environmental consequences. The ICARDA elite lentil line 6002/ILWL118/1-1, examined here, was cultivated at the experimental station in Marchouch, Morocco, a semi-arid region with an average annual rainfall of 350-400 mm [77].