Effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. Seeds Extract on Uptake of Heavy Metals in Micropropagated Oryza sativa L.

Abstract

Heavy metals have passive effects on plant growth and some physiological parameters in plant. The present investigation was done to investigate the effect of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) on in vitro and ex vitro grown rice plantlets. A promising phytoremediation technique was used to remediate the negative effect of heavy metals. Moringa oleifera seed was used as natural and low cost phytoremediator, effective in heavy metals remediation in agriculture. Growth parameters were affected by the coagulation effect of Moringa oleifera. In addition, the physiological parameters as chlorophyll content, antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, flavonoids content, indoles content were affected positively by Moringa seed extract under heavy metals effect. Also, glutilen bands of rice became denser under the effect of heavy metals and Moringa seed extract. Polyphenol oxidase, catalase and peroxidase activities exhibited increases in plants exposed to heavy metals and Moringa seed extract. The effect of Moringa seed powder on growth parameters, carbohydrates content and heavy metals content of greenhouse grown rice under Pb and Cd stress were studied. In conclusion, the present investigation confirms the suitability and effectiveness of Moringa seed extract and powder as simple and cheap phytoremediation agents.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera, phytoremediation, rice, cadmium, lead, coagulants, antioxidants, polyphenol oxidase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbic acid, flavonoids