ANATOMICAL STUDY OF MORINGA LEAF (MORINGA OLEIFERA LAM.) UNDER IRON FERTILIZATION

Abstract

The effect of different levels of nano- and mineral-Iron and their method of application on anatomical properties of the upper and lower epidermis of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaves was studied. Seeds of Moringa were sown in 15 kgs soil capacity pots during the growing season of 2018/2019 arranged as a factorial experiment within Completely Randomized Design, with three replicates. The factorswere a method of fertilization(soil or foliar application),three levels i.e. 0,180 and 360mg.l-1 of each of mineral and nano-Iron. The total number of experimental units was 2×3×3×3 for method, nano-Iron, mineral-Iron, and replicates respectively.The application method caused an increase in the mean dimensions of normal epidermis cells, stomatoes, and hairs.These traits were increased as Iron levels increased. Where 360 mg.l-1 of both types of Iron gave the highest dimensions. Soil application gave higher values of epidermis dimensions than that obtained from the foliar application. The number of stomatoesincreased with increasing the level of Iron. The number of normal epidermis cells was conversely proportioned with their volume.