Drought-stress response on Moringa oleifera seedlings.
The study is based on drought stress tolerance in 2 week-old Moringa plant starved with no water for 5 days. Moringa plants possess unique characteristics that allow them to thrive even in the driest environments making them a valuable crop in the face of climate change. These characteristics include a deep taproot system that enables them to access water in a larger soil volume, small-sized leaves with a waxy layer that enhances water retention during drought conditions, and the ability to activate antioxidant enzymes that protect cells from damage. Moringa also possesses genes that regulate the expression of stress-responsive genes and protect cellular structures during drought stress. Studying and uncovering the genetic basis of drought tolerance in Moringa is of significant importance in the field of agriculture as this would ensure sustainable cultivation practices, help resolve water challenges, secure food for the ever increasing global population and conserve resources. The study aims to identify important genes that are differentially expressed in response to drought stress tolerance in Moringa oleifera, to identify modules of co-expressed genes involved in the plant's transcriptional response to drought, to highlight biological processes and pathways associated with drought stress tolerance and to identify hub genes that act as key transcriptional regulators in Moringa's response to drought conditions. This information can be used to develop drought-resistant varieties and maximize the plant's potential benefits .