Moringa oleifera Linn. is a plant with significant potential as a functional food. For mutation, the gamma rays irradiation has been proven effective in producing prominent characteristics such as tolerance to aluminum (Al) stress. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the genetic variability of M. oleifera plant by exposing to gamma rays irradiation at various doses. Selection of Al tolerant genotypes was carried out in in vitro under Al stress conditions by adding AlCl₃ to the media at the rate of 0, 50, 100, 250, and 500 mg/L. The selection was made for prominent accessions of M. oleifera capable of producing high yields under abiotic stress conditions. In addition to agronomic parameters, the organic acids content were observed to select the tolerant accessions with metabolic profile of Al stress tolerant accessions. Gamma irradiation applied to M. oleifera shoot culture produced new traits, as shown by the molecular dendrogram of ISSR markers, where the 10 and 20 Gy treatments had varied genetic diversity compared to the wild type. Additionally, gamma irradiation at 10 and 20 Gy increased the tolerance of M. oleifera culture to 100 and 250 mg/L of AlCl₃.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera L., gamma radiation, in vitro culture, organic acid, Al tolerance

Key findings: Plant cultures showed AlCl₃ tolerance in the M. oleifera clones based on growth traits and the organic acids produced. This advancement could potentially allow the use of suboptimal land with acidic soil for M. oleifera propagation in the future.