1. Physiological status of two Moringa species irrigated with Magnetic Water Treatment
Md.Mahadi Hasan, Abdulrahaman S. Hajar, Hesham F. Alharby*,
Khalid Rehman Hakeem
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
*Corresponding author:
INTRODUCTION
Currently, farms and other agricultural techniques are far sophisticated than what was a few decades ago, surely due to the improvements in technology e.g. the use of sensors, other devices, machines and better use of information. Magnetic water technology, though not so common, is one of the successful environment- friendly advanced tactic for the improvement of agricultural yields (Ali et al.2014). Magnetic Water Treatment (MWT) methods over the years have displayed potential use in many disciplines, particular agriculture, which has several advantages over traditional water treatment methods, for example, it is safer and more compatible with simple design. Generally, Magnetic water is generated by treating water with different types of magnetic fields (mT).Water passes through the specialized type of machine and it creates a new form of water (hexagonal structure). Moringa species are commonly used as a source of food and medicine .(Olson, 2002).The leaves of Moringa has antibiotic and antithelmintic activities. Moringa oleifera and Moringa peregrina are the two most common species in use and belongs to the family of Moringaceae.In the present study, the impact of Magnetic water on the physiology of these two Moringa species (Moringa oleifera and Moringa peregrina) were studied to develop the cost effective and eco-friendly tactics for the crop improvement.
MATERIALS & METHODS
RESULTS & DISCUSSION
The research was carried out at a greenhouse at the King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Leaf gas exchange was measured by the CIRAS III photosynthesis system (model 2012 inc.USA).
The maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm) was measured during the experiment at the altered period and at the end of relief on the same leaves used for gas exchange measurements. The plant samples (root, shoot and leaves) were prepared using Humpherics method (1956)
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the mean differences of data were tested by Fisher LSD test using Minitab (17) statistical software. The differences between the data at P≤0.05 were regarded as significant.
Figure 2. Water use efficiency (WUE) (A) and Fv/Fm (B) of the two Moringa species (Moringa oleifera, MO; Moringa peregrina, MP) with two treatment (Normal water, N; Magnetic water, MW) .
Figure 3. Interaction effects between species vs. water to the Na+ and K+ content and their ratio in leaf
Figure 1:Interaction effects between species vs. water on the leaf gas exchange of the two Moringa species (Moringa oleifera, MO; Moringa peregrina, MP) with two treatment (Normal water, N; Magnetic water, M) in different time at 40DAS, 55DAS, and 70DAS. Days after sowing, DAS. (A)Assimilation, A ; (B) Stomatal conductance, gs ;(C)Transpiration;(D) Vapour Pressure deficit, VPD.
The assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (gs), Transpiration rate (E) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) were significantly increased at 40(DAS) under MWT in the Moringa oleifera and Moringa peregrina. MWT increased the water use efficiency in Moringa oleifera by 22.1%, 2%, and 41.2% at 40DAS, 55DAS and 70 DAS respectively. The Magnetic water increased Fv/Fm ratio in the Moringa oleifera and Moringa peregrina by 2.73% and 5.06% respectively. Magnetic water treatment resulted in decreased Na+/K+ ratio by 56.20% and 4.7% on the leaf of Moringa oleifera and Moringa peregrina. In corn plants, Anand et al (2012) reported that photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were increased at 200mT.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings have shown that the irrigation with magnetic field plays significant roles in Moringa production as well as may help to improve other crop production. Yet, more study is needed to ensure the crop production using magnetic water treatment under field conditions at the different level of magnetic field.
REFERENCES
Anand, A., S. Nagarajan, A.Verma, D. Joshi, P. Pathak and J.Bhardwaj Pre-treatment of seeds with static magnetic field ameliorates soil water stress in seedlings of maize (Zea mays L). Ind. J. Biochem.Biophys., (49):63–70.
Ali, Y., R. Samaneh and F. Kavakebian.2014.Applications of Magnetic Water Technology in Farming and Agriculture Development: A Review of Recent Advances. Curr. World. Environ., (9):
Olson, M.E Combining data from DNA sequences and morphology for a phylogeny of Moringaceae (Brassicales). Syst. Bot., 27: