Abstract
Introduction: Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori, is a nutritionally and medicinally important desert tree, which is constantly exposed to drought stress. This study was accomplished to alleviate the adverse effects of drought stress on M. peregrina populations through the foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) by monitoring some physiological and biochemical alterations. Methods: Moringa peregrina seeds were collected from the Southeast of Iran in 2014. Fourteen days after germination, the seedlings were subjected to drought stress by withholding watering until 50% field capacity (FC), followed by spraying 0.1% and 0.05% ZnO-NPs and no spraying (as control). Results: The changes of sodium (Na), potassium (K), chlorophylls, total phenolic content (TPC) as well as antioxidant activity under drought stress condition varied based on M. peregrina populations. Drought stress significantly reduced chlorophylls content, while it enhanced TPC and antioxidant activity. ZnO-NPs treatment significantly inhibited chlorophylls degradation under drought stress conditions. It also enhanced chlorophyll content in well-watered plants. Moreover, it was revealed that TPC and antioxidant activity of M. peregrina populations significantly increased in response to foliar application of ZnO-NPs in both drought-stressed and unstressed plants. Conclusion: Our results suggested that ZnO-NPs spray can augment drought tolerance of different populations of M. peregrina subjected to water deficit condition.
Highlights
Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori, is a nutritionally and medicinally important desert tree, which is constantly exposed to drought stress
It was revealed that total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of M. peregrina populations significantly increased in response to foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) in both drought-stressed and unstressed plants
Minerals Content The results showed that drought stress reduced Na+ and K+ content in all M. peregrina populations (Table 2)
Summary
Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori, is a nutritionally and medicinally important desert tree, which is constantly exposed to drought stress. ZnO-NPs treatment significantly inhibited chlorophylls degradation under drought stress conditions It enhanced chlorophyll content in well-watered plants. It was revealed that TPC and antioxidant activity of M. peregrina populations significantly increased in response to foliar application of ZnO-NPs in both drought-stressed and unstressed plants. It was revealed that the leaves of M. peregrina are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and phenolic compounds It acts as a good source of natural antioxidants and plays an important role in preventing and progression of many diseases.[2] M. peregrina can be grown on arid and semiarid areas with high temperatures and low water availability where cultivation of other agricultural crops is difficult due to drought stress.[3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Basic Science in Medicine
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
