Electronic Journal of Biology

Diatomite Improves Productivity and Quality of Moringa oleifera Grown in Greenhouse

Moringa oleifera Lam. is a tropical perennial, softwooded tree. Different parts of the tree have been used as traditional medicine, food, plant growth enhancer, animal feed, water coagulant, cosmetic ingredient, and biodiesel raw materials. In this study, we have investigated the effects of diatomite, a rich source of silicate on the growth and active compounds content in Moringa oleifera. We have irrigated our plants with 3 different concentrations (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 g/l), of diatomite solution. Our results indicated that plants irrigated with 2.5 g/l of diatomite shown highest rate of improvement in growth parameters such as plant height, number of branch, leaves, and roots, as well as fresh and dried weight of stem, leaves, and roots as compared to the control (irrigated with water only) and plants irrigated with 5 or 10 g/l diatomite. The enhancement in growth parameters is supported by the increased in photosynthetic pigments. The amount of total phenolic and flavonoid as well as tocopherol and apigenin in the leaves and roots samples shown slight increment in all the diatomite treatment groups as compared to the control.

Author(s):

Fadia El-Sherif, Doha El Zaina, Yun-Kiam Yap

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