Iron oxide nanoparticles effect on growth, physiological traits and nutritional contents of Moringa oleifera grown in saline environment

Abstract

Abstract Background Using of nanoparticles in various aspects of life including agriculture, medicine and industry is very crucial. One of the important source for Fe nutrition in plants is Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs) due to its efficiency in releasing under different pH range. Thus, in the Model Farm of National Research Centre Egypt at El Tour South Sinai, a field experiment was carried out, to study the effect of different concentration of Fe3O4NPs (0, 20, 40, 60 ppm) on the physiological parameters and the nutritive value of Moringa under saline condition. Results The obtained results indicate that foliar spraying of Fe3O4NPs significantly promote growth (plant height, branches leaves number per plant, leaf area, stem diameter and biomass). Foliar treatment also increased photosynthetic pigments (chlo.a, chlo b, chlo a/b and carotenoids) and indole acetic acid (IAA) contents comparing with control. Hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation contents of Moringa oleifera leaves were decreased significantly as compared with control plant. The maximum activities of antioxidant enzymes Peroxidase (POX), poly phenol oxidase (PPO), super oxide dismutase (SOD) and nitrate reductase (NR) were observed in plants treated with 40 ppm. Different concentrations of Fe3O4NPs increased significantly crude protein, crude fiber and ash percentages as well as, some nutrient contents of moringa leaves (N, P, K and K/Na) compared with untreated control plants, meanwhile decreased Na contents. Conclusion Treatment of Moringa oleifera plant with Fe3O4NPs at different concentrations greatly decrease the harmful effect of salinity on growth by its promotive role on different studied biochemical and physiological aspects.