Universal Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 2(2), pp. 45 - 49
DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2014.020202
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Investigation of Sodium Chloride Tolerance of Moringa (Moringa Oleifera Lam.) Transplants

Ayoub Zeyada Elhag ^*, Maha Hussien Abdalla
Department of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Sudan

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted at the nursery of Department of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology. Sodium chloride (NaCl) tolerance of 2-months moringa transplants ( Moringa oleifera .Lam.) was investigated in plastic pots containing 0.0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8% NaCl (w/w of .soil) resembling 1.8, 4, 8 and 16 dSm^-1 electrical conductivity (Ec) of the soil solution ), in a completely randomized design with four replications. The vegetative growth was evaluated as transplant height, number of leaves and root length. The concentrations of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Cl^- in the transplant parts (stem, leaves and roots) were also recorded Both shoot and root growth parameters were only slightly affected by the different NaCl concentrations. However, the stem height and number of leaves were significantly reduced (30% and 40%,respectively) by the highest NaCl concentration (0.8% NaCl). Mineral ions uptake reflected that Na⁺ and Cl^- concentrations in the different plant parts (roots, stem and leaves) were almost doubled at the highest NaCl concentration, whereas both K⁺ and Ca²⁺ were reduced by 24- 64% compared to control. At the highest NaCl concentration there was a tendency of higher concentration of Na⁺ and Cl^- and lower concentrations of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ in the leaves. It could be concluded that 2-month moringa transplants might be NaCl tolerant up to 8dSm^-1 Ec. Further studies are required to assess the mechanism of salinity tolerance of moringa. 2-month moringa transplants rather than direct seeding could be recommended for utilization of salt affected areas.

KEYWORDS
Early Growth, Moringa Oleifera, Sodium Chloride Tolerance, Toxic Ion Exclusion, 2-Month Old Transplants

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Ayoub Zeyada Elhag , Maha Hussien Abdalla , "Investigation of Sodium Chloride Tolerance of Moringa (Moringa Oleifera Lam.) Transplants," Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 45 - 49, 2014. DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2014.020202.

(b). APA Format:
Ayoub Zeyada Elhag , Maha Hussien Abdalla (2014). Investigation of Sodium Chloride Tolerance of Moringa (Moringa Oleifera Lam.) Transplants. Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, 2(2), 45 - 49. DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2014.020202.