Abstract:
Young shoots from three varieties of
Moringa plants were used to determine their low-temperature tolerances. The electrolyte leakage rates of the leaves under cold stress were fitted in a logistic equation to calculate the semi-lethal temperature (
LT50) for the plants. The leakage rates were found to increase with decreasing temperature. When the low-temp treatments last 8 or 16 hours, the rate curves appeared in S-shape and fitted the model,
LT50 were obtained. The calculated
LT50 for the three cultivars decreased in the order of
Moringa stenopetala > PKM1 >
Moringa oleifera, indicating their abilities to resist low temperatures.