Biometric and Physiological Responses to Water Restriction in Moringa oleifera Seedlings

ABSTRACT A water deficit in the soil can cause water stress in plants, triggering morphological and physiological changes. The aim of this work was evaluate the ecophysiological development of moringa seedlings under controlled water restriction. The experimental design was completely randomized at 40, 60, 80, and 100% of field capacity and six replicates. The photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, transpiration, vapor pressure deficit, internal carbon concentration, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll and stem diameter, height, and number of leaves were measur...