Alleviation of salt stress on Moringa peregrina using foliar application of nanofertilizers

Moringa peregrina plants were grown under four levels of saline water (0, 3000, 6000, 9000 ppm), and treated with sprayed Hoagland solution containing different concentrations of ZnO and Fe3O4 Nano-Particles (NP) (30, 60 and 90 mg/L); the normal Hoagland solution was used as a control. Results show that salinity levels significantly reduced growth parameters (plant height, root length, number of leaves, number of branches, shoot and root fresh and dry weights). Also, chlorophyll, carotenoids and crude protein levels decreased meanwhile proline and total carbohydrate levels, antioxidant non-enzymes (vitamins A and C) and enzymes (POD and SOD) increased. Moringa plants sprayed with Hoagland-containing ZnO and Fe3O4 NP showed an enhancement in growth parameters either under normal or saline conditions when compared to control. Also, spraying plants with Hoagland-containing ZnO and Fe3O4 NP resulted in significant reduction in Na+ and Cl- and an increase in N, P, K+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Fe, Zn; total chlorophyll, carotenoids, proline, carbohydrates, crude protein levels, antioxidant non-enzymes and enzymes when compared to control, normal Hoagland sprayed-plants. Generally, this enhancement of salt tolerance was considerable in plants sprayed with 60 mg/L ZnO and Fe3O4 NP and grown either in saline and non-saline conditions.   Key words: Moringa peregrine, nanofertilizers, salt stress, growth parameters, chemical composition.