The effect of magnetized water on the growth and physiological conditions of moringa species under drought stress

Abstract

Magnetic water technology is supposed to be an eco-friendly tool used for alleviating drought stress in the agricultural sector. The present study investigates the role of magnetized water on the two Moringa species (Moringa oleifera and Moringa peregrina) under drought stress. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse to compare three watering regimes, including, 100% field capacity (FC, as Control), 50% field capacity (FC, as moderate drought stress), and 20% field capacity (FC, as severe drought stress), and two water treatments (normal water and magnetic water). Significant reductions in plant height, leaf area, relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll and ion contents, assimilation rate (A), transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs), water use efficiency (WUE), and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) were observed during the drought stress. M. oleifera and M. peregrina seedlings when treated with MW during SS level, exhibited 13.09%, 21.1%, 22.6%, 23%, and 10.7%,15.2%,12.9%,13.19% decreases in Chl a, Chl b, Chl (a+b) and carotenoids contents respectively, as compared to control seedlings. The M. oleifera and M. peregrina seedlings exposed to drought stress (MS, SS) showed 1.26%, 3.79%, and 1.2%, 3.7% decreases in F v /F m under MWT. The drought-stressed seedlings treated with magnetic water (MW) recovered from growth inhibition, chlorosis, and ion disruption. Magnetic water (MW) improved the Na+/K+ ratio by lowering the accumulation of Na + ions. Hence, the application of magnetized water (MW) mitigated the adverse effects of drought in the Moringa species.