Germination and Adaptive Responses of Moringa oleifera to Drought Stress: Insights into Morphological and Biochemical Mechanisms Under PEG-6000-Induced Conditions.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22399/ijcesen.4377Keywords:
Moringa oleifera, drought stress, PEG-6000, germination, morphological changes, biochemical adaptationsAbstract
Moringa oleifera, a resilient species suited to arid and semi-tropical climates, was examined for its response to water stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) during germination and early growth. This study assessed the impact of different PEG-6000 concentrations (0, 4, 8, and 12 g/L) on germination rates, morphological traits, and biochemical parameters of the seedlings. Seeds showed remarkable germination capacity, reaching 100% at 12 g/L PEG-6000 concentration. However, water stress negatively affected plant development, reducing shoot length from 18 cm in the controls to 14 cm at the highest concentration, with similar declines in leaf area, leaf number, and collar diameter. Biochemical analyses indicated decreased levels of chlorophyll, soluble sugars, proline (down to 0.014 mg/mL at 12 g/L), and amino acids under stress conditions. These results suggest that while M. oleifera seeds are highly tolerant to water stress during germination, subsequent growth and biochemical functions are compromised, providing insights into their adaptability for cultivation in drought-prone areas.
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