Comparative study of water extracts of Moringa leaves and roots to improve the growth and yield of sunflower

Abstract

Moringa is getting attention of agricultural scientists because of rich source of micro- and macro-nutrients, antioxidants and growth hormones. Foliar application of extracts from different parts of Moringa oleifera is being considered to be very beneficial for the vigorous growth, deeper root development and better seed germination, delay of fruit senescence and improve yield. Present study was conducted to study the comparative growth enhancing potential of moringa leaf (25% and 50% solution) and root (25% and 50% solution) extracts for the growth of sunflower under. Application of moringa leaf extract (MLE) @ 25% reduced the maximum time to start emergence and improved mean emergence time, emergence index and final emergence percentage as compared to tap water. Application of MLE @ 50% also significantly improved the growth parameters of sunflowers plants as compared to control and others treatments. Application of MLE @ 50% produced maximum plant height, plant fresh and dry weights, root fresh and dry weight. Application of MLE @ 50% significantly enhanced the yield parameters of sunflower plants including number of achenes per plant, 1000-achene weight, flower diameter and leaf area of sunflower plants. It can be suggested that application of water extract of moringa leaf has more growth enhancing potential as compared to water extract of moringa roots.