Foliar application of potassium and moringa leaf extract improves growth, physiology and productivity of kabuli chickpea grown under varying sowing regimes.

Mohamed S. Elshikh,Adnan Noor Shah,Danish Ibrar,Nabila Rashid,Zeng-Hui Diao,Sohail Irshad,Shahid Iqbal,Abdulrahman Al-Hashimi,Amar Matloob,Muhammad Nawaz,Rao Muhammad Ikram,Muhammad Ashfaq Wahid,Zuhair Hasnain,Shahbaz Khan

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0263323

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is of prime importance because of vital source of protein as major food legume. Globally, it is cultivated on large area to meet dietary requirements of humans. Climatic extremes (erratic rainfall, extreme high and low temperature) are key restrains for its production. Optimum sowing time is considered as an important factor to address climatic variations and to attain maximum yield. Foliar application of potassium (K) has also been reported to increase resistance against abiotic stresses. Similarly, exogenous application of plant based growth substances (bio-stimulants) like moringa leaf extract (MLE) are extensively used to enhance productivity of field crops. Therefore, current study was planned to evaluate the impact of foliar applied K and MLE on growth, physiology and productivity of kabuli chickpea grown under varying sowing dates. There were two sowing dates (normal sown; November 15 and late sown; December 15, 2020). Experiment was comprised of treatments i.e. control, water spray, foliar application of K at 1%, foliar application of MLE at 3% and combined application of K and MLE. Foliar applied K and MLE significantly improved physiological, biochemical and yield attributes of kabuli chickpea cultivated under normal and late sown conditions. Increase in growth and yield attributes like plant height, number of nodules per plant, nodules dry weight, branches and pods per plant, 100- grain weight, biological and grain yield were recorded in case of combined foliar application of K and MLE in normal and late sown chickpea. Maximum improvement in gas exchange attributes (stomatal conductance and transpiration rate), chlorophyll contents, antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase) and osmolytes (proline) were recorded with combined application of K and MLE in both sowing dates. Thus, combined applied K and MLE can be used to enhance productivity of kabuli chickpea.

Highlights

Pulses have emerged as the most important crops which have been grown by human beings since time immortal
Maximum nodules per plant were observed in combined application of K and moringa leaf extract (MLE) followed by MLE, K, water spray and control while interaction of foliar treatments and sowing dates was non-significant
In case of nodules dry weight per plant, similar trend regarding sowing dates was observed while maximum value of nodules dry weight was observed in combined application of K and MLE which was statistically similar to sole application of MLE and minimum value was observed in control and interaction was non-significant

Summary

Introduction

Pulses have emerged as the most important crops which have been grown by human beings since time immortal. They are known as leguminous food crops throughout the globe. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) in one of the most economical important food legumes cultivated round the world [1] as it plays vital role in human nutrition [2]. It is rich source of protein (21%), carbohydrates (61%) and oil (2.2%) [3] and classified as highly nutritious and healthy food [4]. Unpredictable climate change is the major constraint for chickpea production as it increases the frequency of drought and temperature extremes i.e. high (> 30 ̊C) and low (< 15 ̊C) temperatures which reduces grain yields considerably [9,10]

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Discussion

Conclusion