Interactive effects of plant compost and natural biostimulants on growth, yield, and oil content of white mustard under drip irrigation in sandy soil

Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) productivity in Pakistan remains low due to weak crop establishment and frequent early-season stresses. Seed priming with botanical and seaweed-based biostimulants offers a simple way to boost early vigor without relying entirely on synthetic inputs. This field study was performed to examine the effect of moringa leaf extract (MLE) and Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract (SWE), on early growth of mung bean under semi-arid conditions. Seven seed priming treatments including MLE 1.5%, MLE 3%, SWE 0.2%, SWE 0.5%, MLE (1.5%) + SWE (0.2%), MLE (3%) + SWE (0.5%) and control (unprimed seed), each with three replications were evaluated to check their impact on germination (%), field emergence (%), seedling vigor index (SVI), nodules per plant, and leaf area at 20 days after sowing (DAS). All priming treatments increased germination compared to control (91.33%), with the highest values observed in MLE (3%) + SWE (0.5%) (97.00%) and MLE 1.5% (96.33%). MLE 3% and combination of both MLE (3%) + SWE (0.5%) improved seedling vigor index (SVI) up to 1747 and 1757, respectively as compared to control (1519). Emergence followed a similar trend, rising to 94.33% under MLE (3%) + SWE (0.5%). SWE positively impacted early nodulation and SWE 0.5% produced maximum (17.33) nodules plant⁻¹. MLE 1.5% demonstrated highest Leaf area at 20 DAS (200.44 cm²), while most other priming treatments slightly improved leaf area relative to the control. Given the findings of this study, seed priming with MLE and SWE without foliar application significantly enhances early growth, nodulation, and canopy development in mung bean.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh pupuk cair Mitra Flora dan ekstrak daun kelor terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil sawi serta mengetahui dosis pupuk cair Mitra Flora dan ekstrak daun kelor yang tepat bagi pertumbuhan dan hasil sawi. Penelitian menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) faktorial 3 x 3 yang diulang 3 kali. Faktor pertama adalah dosis pupuk Mitra Flora terdiri dari tiga aras yaitu tanpa pupuk cair Mitra Flora, 60 ml/tanaman, 120 ml/tanaman. Faktor kedua adalah ekstrak daun kelor terdiri dari tiga aras yaitu tanpa ekstrak daun kelor, 75 ml/tanaman, 150 ml/tanaman. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tidak terjadi pengaruh interaksi antara pupuk Mitra Flora dan ekstrak daun kelor terhadap semua parameter yang diamati, demikian juga pengaruh utama masing-masing faktor perlakuan baik dosis pupuk Mitra Flora maupun ekstrak daun kelor juga tidak terjadi terhadap semua parameter yang diamati. Dosis pupuk Mitra Flora 60 ml per tanaman merupakan dosis yang optimum yang memberikan hasil sawi seberat 149,1 g per tanaman. Dosis ektrak daun kelor 150 ml per tanaman memberikan hasil sawi terbaik seberat 153 g per tanaman. ©2016 dipubikasikan oleh Savana Cendana.

Although the application of chemical fertilizers to crops promotes plant growth and yield, their continuous use affects soil heath and creates environmental pollution. On the other hand, plant biostimulants improve nutrients absorption, plant growth, yield and produce quality and are environment-friendly. Therefore, an experiment was conducted during 2021-22 to evaluate the effect of some biostimulants on the performance of the apple cv. Anna, planted in a sandy loam soil at Marsa Matruh governorate, Egypt. Ninety trees were randomly selected and sprayed with 4 or 6% moringa leaf extract (MLE), 0.3 or 0.4% seaweed extract (SWE), 1000 or 2000 mg L−1 Fulvic acid (FA), 4% MLE + 0.3% SWE + 1000 mg L−1 FA (combination 1), or 6% MLE + 0.4% SWE + 2000 mg L−1 FA (combination 2) before flowering, during full bloom and one month later and compared with a control (untreated trees). The results demonstrated that spraying MLE, SWE or FA or their combinations positively improved the vegetative growth, fruit set %, fruit yield and fruit physical and chemical characteristics as well as leaf nutritional status. The positive effect of MLE, SWE and FA was increased in parallel to an increase in the used concentration of each one of them. The highest increments in the measured parameters were accompanied by the application of combination 2 over the other treatments.

A field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Center, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, to assess the effect of different nutrients and their integration on growth, yield and quality of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). Indian mustard cultivar Pusa Mustard 31(PDZM -31) was grown during winter (rabi) season of 2020-21. The treatments comprised of Control (T1), 100% N (T2), 100% NP (T3), 100% NPK (T4), 125%NPK (T5), 100% NPK+ S@40kg ha-1 (T6), 100%NPK+ Zn @5kg ha-1 (T7), 100%NPK + B @1kg ha-1 (T8), 75% NPK+ Vermicompost @ 2t ha-1 (T9), 75%NPK+ Farm Yard Manure @ 6t ha-1 (T10), 75%NPK + VC @ 2t ha-1+ Azotobacter (T11) and 75% NPK + FYM @ 6t ha-1 + Azotobacter (T12). Results revealed that treatment T11 (75% NPK + VC@2t ha-1 + Azotobacter) and T12 (75% NPK + FYM@6t ha-1 + Azotobacter) exhibited significant influence on the growth, yield and quality of mustard as compared to the application of 100% NPK alone. Significant improvement in growth parameters viz. plant height, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation as well as crop growth rate, relative growth rate and yield was recorded with the application of T11 and T12. Maximum oil content (40.67%) was obtained in T6 (100% NPK+ S@ 40kg ha-1) and maximum oil yield (796.76 kg ha-1) was obtained in T12, it remained at par with T5, T6, T10 and T11. Maximum protein content (21.75%) was found in T12 which was on par with T5, T9, T10 & T12. The maximum protein yield (492.88 kg ha-1) was obtained in treatment T12 which was statistically on par with T11, T5 and T6 respectively. T11 and T12 exhibited significant influence on the growth and yield of mustard as compared to other treatments respectivity. Integration of inorganic and organic sources of nutrients improved the growth parameters, yield and quality parameters of Indian mustard, whereas the use of chemical fertilizer alone showed a pronounced decline of these parameters.

Water is one of the most important components that affect plant growth and productivity. Foliar application of some biostimulants may reduce the amount of used water. New agricultural practices intended to enhance water use efficiency, require careful study to determine their effects on optimal irrigation levels. To examine the effect of irrigation and biostimulants spray on tree growth, yield and fruit quality, this research was carried out on seventy-two ‘Valencia’ orange ( Citrus sinensis, Osbeck) trees grown at 5×5 m spacing in a private orchard at Badr district, Behaira Governorate, Egypt during 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons. Trees were budded on ‘Volkamer’ lemon rootstock and grown in sandy soil under drip irrigation system. Three drip irrigation regimes were applied at 25,866; 19,240; and 12,933 L/tree/year, which represent about 100, 75, and 50% of tree water requirement using 16, 12, and 8 drippers/tree, respectively. Each irrigation regime was combined with the foliar application of tap water (control), seaweed extract (2.5g/L), fishmeal extract (10g/L) or compost tea extract (65ml/L). Foliar treatments were applied three times; three weeks before flowering, at full bloom and two months after full bloom. Results indicated that as irrigation volume increased, there was significant improvement in the vegetative growth, fruit set percentage, but the percentage of June fruit drop and preharvest fruit drop was negatively related to water volume. The greatest incremental effect between treatments generally occurred with the intermediate level of irrigation, which actually had significantly higher yield and fruit quality than the full irrigation treatment in both years. Foliar application of seaweed, fishmeal, or compost tea extracts enhanced tree growth, fruit set, total yield, and fruit physical and chemical characteristics. Compost tea had the most pronounced effect in this regard. Overall, the best results were obtained with the combination of 19,240 tree/year plus compost tea (65ml/L) for tree vegetative growth, fruit set, less fruit drop, total yield and most of fruit quality aspects. Furthermore, this combination saved about 25% of the total used water, and increased total yield per tree by 40.7% over the control.

Bio-stimulants include a range of compounds effective enough to enhance certain physiological processes that promote crop ontogeny and development, so that the use of synthetic fertilizers can be greatly decreased. Moringa Leaf Extract (MLE) is a good source of fertilizers alterative to NPK and other macro- and micro-nutrients. MLE has the ability of promoting healthy and safe foods that are environment-friendly. Therefore, the use of safe natural bio-stimulants such as MLE to enhance the growth and productivity of food crops is indispensable these days. The present study was designed to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of MLE with respect to NPK fertilizers on two spring wheat varieties, Akbar-2019 and Ujala-2016. Pot experiments were conducted in the Botanical Garden of the University of Gujrat, Gujrat., Pakistan. The experiments were laid down in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Three levels of Moringa leaf extract (0%, 10%, and 20%) and three levels of NPK fertilizers (0%, 10%, and 20%) were applied after two weeks of seed germination. It was found that 10% and 20 % of both MLE and NPK enhanced the crop growth by increasing foliage growth, and antioxidative enzymes activities. MLE applied as 10% showed better results in terms of enhancing the crop growth as compared to NPK. MLE was also more effective than NPK in promoting the activities of key enzymatic antioxidants such as SOD, CAT and POD. Of the two varieties of wheat, Ujala-2016 had better response to MLE 10% in terms of growth and biochemical attributes measured in this study. It was concluded that MLE, being cost-effective and eco-friendly, can be applied as a potential source of fertilizers to improve growth and yield of wheat.

One of the environmental problems that affects negatively orange productivity is drought because it greatly minimizes the growth attributes, photosynthetic process, water uptake, percentage of fruit set, and productivity; meanwhile, it raises the rates of respiration and transpiration, as well as the premature and preharvest fruit drop percentages. In addition, drought creates osmotic stress, affects the relationship between plants and water, reduces the amount of water in shoots, and prevents plant cell development and expansion. It is very important to search for a solution to minimize the effect of drought stress; therefore, the present study has investigated the effect of the application of humic acid (HA) at 0, 1 and 2 kg per tree and spraying of seaweed extract (SWE) at 0.2, 0.3 and 4% in combination with moringa leaf extract (MLE) at 2, 4 and 6%, respectively, on the productivity, fruit quality and nutritional status of navel orange cv. Washington during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The results proved that the application of the biostimulants individually or in combination significantly positively changed the vegetative growth, productivity, fruit quality parameters and leaf mineral content of macro- and micronutrients of the treated trees compared to untreated trees. The superior treatments which gave the best results were 2 kg HA + 0.4% SWE + 6% MLE followed by 2 kg HA + 0.3% SWE + 4% MLE over the rest of the applied treatments.

Sandy soils in arid and semi-arid regions of Egypt are characterized by poor structure, low fertility, and a limited capacity to retain irrigation water, which collectively constrain nutrient availability and crop productivity under arid conditions. Despite these limitations, improving the performance and sustainability of sandy soils has become essential to meet increasing agricultural demands. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the individual and combined effects of biochar, mineral NPK fertilization, and seaweed extract on the growth performance, biomass production, nutrient status, and overall productivity of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) cultivated in sandy soil. Field experiments were conducted over two successive growing seasons (2024 and 2025) at the Agricultural Research Station, Al-Marashda, Qena Governorate, Egypt, using a split-plot design with biochar application (0 and 12.5 ton ha−1) as the main factor and foliar growth stimulants (control, NPK, NPK + 2 mL L−1 seaweed extract, and NPK + 4 mL L−1 seaweed extract) as sub-factors. Results revealed that biochar application significantly improved all vegetative growth parameters, herbage fresh and dry yields, essential oil percentage, oil yield per plant, photosynthetic pigment concentrations, and leaf N, P, and K contents compared with untreated soil. Foliar application of NPK fertilizer, particularly when combined with seaweed extract, further enhanced plant performance. The greatest improvements across all measured traits were consistently obtained from the integrated application of biochar at 12.5 ton ha−1 combined with foliar spraying of NPK (5 g L−1) and seaweed extract 4 mL L−1. This treatment produced the highest biomass accumulation, essential oil yield, chlorophyll content, and nutrient uptake during both seasons. The findings conclude that integrating biochar with balanced mineral fertilization and natural biostimulants represents an effective and sustainable strategy for improving productivity and essential oil yield of spearmint grown in nutrient-poor sandy soils.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a highly valuable leguminous crop; it contains rich proteins, dietary fiber, complex carbohydrates, and vitamins. Unfortunately, chickpea plant growth and productivity are significantly impaired due to multiple environmental factors during cultivation. Therefore, exploring cost-effective and sustainable strategies is crucial for sustainable chickpea production. The study aimed to explore the potential of chickpea seed priming using moringa (Moringa oleifera) and neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extracts for improving growth, production, and physiological performance of chickpea in field conditions. This study shows seed priming with moringa and neem leaf extracts significantly improves plant physiological performance. Seed priming with 3% moringa leaf extract showed a significant positive effect on chickpea performance on different physiological and yield parameters. At the flowering phase, the BARI Chola-11 variety with 3% moringa extract (V3P3) showed the highest grain yield (1.69 t ha-1), which was 61% greater than the lowest yield performance. Furthermore, this treatment significantly increases stover yield (2.61 t ha-1), pod number per plant (44), pod length (2.41 cm), and 1000-seed weight (228.33 g) in chickpea. Interestingly, moringa extract-based priming increased the grain yield by 18.4% compared to the control, whereas neem leaf extract-based priming increased the grain yield by 8.8%. The findings together indicate that Moringa leaf extract is effective for improving chickpea, suggesting that Moringa extract can be used as a potential biostimulant for enhancing growth, yield, plant fitness, and stress tolerance in Chickpea and other legumes.

An overview of plant-based natural biostimulants for sustainable horticulture with a particular focus on moringa leaf extracts

Using natural biostimulants such as plant extracts is a novel agronomic biofortification strategy to mitigate abiotic stresses such as salinity on crops. This study assessed seed priming effects on physiological and biochemical attributes of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) under salinity (0 and 100 mM NaCl). Seeds were primed for 12h with distilled water (hydro-priming, H2O), moringa leaf (ME) and ginger rhizome extracts (GE). Salt stress reduced plant fresh weight and hydration, but priming with all agents alleviated salinity impact on basil. ME priming notably boosted fresh weight (+81%) and water content (+50%) compared to unprimed salt-exposed plants. ME-primed plants exhibited the highest proline (2-fold) and sugar (1.5-fold) contents contributing to the osmotic adjustment. Seed priming with ME also reduced malondialdehyde level (MDA) by about 50% enhancing membrane stability. ME also significantly modulated secondary metabolism through the stimulation of polyphenols (+88%), flavonoids (+98%) and total antioxidant activity (+1.4-fold). It upregulated key enzymes: Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, +77%), Shikimate dehydrogenase (SKDH, +119%) and Polyphenoloxidase (PPO, +133%). Correlation analysis indicated that priming generally shifted correlation values from negative under salt stress to positive, with most r coefficients ranging between 0.8 and 1.00. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) clearly separated the primed and unprimed conditions, with the first two components explaining over 90% of the variability. Hence, these multivariate approaches confirm the beneficial effect of seed priming on basil growth and metabolism under salinity. Taken together, our findings provide new insights into the potential of using moringa leaf extract as a biostimulant to alleviate environmental stresses.

Optimum crop yield is not possible without the timely application and right amount of irrigation water. Since rainfall during rabi is inadequate and uncertain, scheduling of irrigation during critical stages could boost the growth, yield and water productivity of mustard. So, in order to identify critical stages of irrigation for mustard in Northern Telangana Zone, a field experiment was conducted during rabi, 2021-22 at Agricultural college, Jagtial to investigate the effect of irrigation scheduling at different phenological phases on growth and yield of mustard. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with twelve treatments and replicated thrice. Treatments includes two irrigations each at vegetative and flowering stage (T1), two irrigations each at vegetative and siliqua development (T2), two irrigations each at flowering and siliqua development (T3), three irrigations each at vegetative, flowering and siliqua development (T4), three irrigations each at vegetative, pre-flowering and siliqua development (T5), three irrigations each at pre-flowering, siliqua initiation and siliqua development (T6), four irrigations each at vegetative, pre-flowering, flowering and siliqua development (T7), four irrigations each at vegetative, pre-flowering, flowering and siliqua initiation (T8), four irrigations each at vegetative, pre-flowering, siliqua initiation and siliqua development (T9), four irrigations each at pre-flowering, flowering, siliqua initiation and siliqua development (T10), five irrigations each at vegetative, pre-flowering, flowering, siliqua initiation and siliqua development (T11) and scheduling of irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 (T12). The results of the experiment revealed that maximum plant height (146 cm), LAI (0.89), dry matter accumulation (416 g m-2), number of siliquae plant -1 (124), number of filled seeds siliquae-1 (13.65), seed yield (1113 kg ha-1) and stover yield (2224 kg ha-1) were recorded with five irrigations each at vegetative, pre-flowering, flowering, siliqua initiation and siliqua development (T11). However, it was on par with irrigation scheduled at IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 (T12). While, the lowest plant height (102 cm), LAI (0.42), dry matter accumulation (198 g m-2), number of siliquae plant -1 (63), number of filled seeds siliquae-1 (10.43), seed yield (431 kg ha-1) and stover yield (923 kg ha-1) was recorded with scheduling two irrigations at vegetative and siliqua development (T2).

Optimum crop yield is not possible without the timely application and right amount of irrigation water. Since rainfall during rabi is inadequate and uncertain, scheduling of irrigation during critical stages could boost the growth, yield and water productivity of mustard. So, in order to identify critical stages of irrigation for mustard in Northern Telangana Zone, a field experiment was conducted during rabi, 2021-22 at Agricultural college, Jagtial to investigate the effect of irrigation scheduling at different phenological phases on growth and yield of mustard. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with twelve treatments and replicated thrice. Treatments includes two irrigations each at vegetative and flowering stage (T1), two irrigations each at vegetative and siliqua development (T2), two irrigations each at flowering and siliqua development (T3), three irrigations each at vegetative, flowering and siliqua development (T4), three irrigations each at vegetative, pre-flowering and siliqua development (T5), three irrigations each at pre-flowering, siliqua initiation and siliqua development (T6), four irrigations each at vegetative, pre-flowering, flowering and siliqua development (T7), four irrigations each at vegetative, pre-flowering, flowering and siliqua initiation (T8), four irrigations each at vegetative, pre-flowering, siliqua initiation and siliqua development (T9), four irrigations each at pre-flowering, flowering, siliqua initiation and siliqua development (T10), five irrigations each at vegetative, pre-flowering, flowering, siliqua initiation and siliqua development (T11) and scheduling of irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 (T12). The results of the experiment revealed that maximum plant height (146 cm), LAI (0.89), dry matter accumulation (416 g m-2), number of siliquae plant -1 (124), number of filled seeds siliquae-1 (13.65), seed yield (1113 kg ha-1) and stover yield (2224 kg ha-1) were recorded with five irrigations each at vegetative, pre-flowering, flowering, siliqua initiation and siliqua development (T11). However, it was on par with irrigation scheduled at IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 (T12). While, the lowest plant height (102 cm), LAI (0.42), dry matter accumulation (198 g m-2), number of siliquae plant -1 (63), number of filled seeds siliquae-1 (10.43), seed yield (431 kg ha-1) and stover yield (923 kg ha-1) was recorded with scheduling two irrigations at vegetative and siliqua development (T2).

The extensive use of synthetic chemical fertilizers is associated with environmental pollution and soil degradation. In addition, the high costs of these fertilizers necessitate the search for alternative, eco-friendly and safe natural sources of phytonutrients. The liquid extracted from moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaves has been used in agriculture to improve the growth and productivity of several crops. The efficacy of moringa leaf extract (MLE) is attributed to its high content of mineral nutrients, protein, vitamins, sugars, fiber, phenolics and free proline. In addition, MLE contains significant amounts of phytohormones, such as auxins, cytokinins and gibberellins. Furthermore, MLE is a valuable product promoting seed germination, plant growth and deeper root development, delaying fruit senescence and increasing the yield and quality of crops grown under normal or stressful conditions. Here, we review the research on MLE as a biostimulant to enhance crop growth and productivity. Moreover, we emphasize its possible introduction to smallholder farming systems to provide phytonutrients, and we further highlight research gaps in the existing knowledge regarding MLE application. Generally, MLE is an inexpensive, sustainable, eco-friendly and natural biostimulant that can be used to improve the growth and productivity attributes of various crops under non-stressful and stressful conditions.

The present study was carried out at El-Baramoon Experimental Farm, Hort.Res.Institute, Agric.Res.Center, Ministry of Agric., during the two seasons of (2013 / 2014) and (2014 / 2015) to study the effect of sowing dates (Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. and Jan.) and foliar application of some natural stimulants (Seaweeds extract, Moringa leaf extract, Salicylic acid and Chitosan) as well as their interaction on vegetative growth, fruit yield and essential oil of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) plant.The results showed that sowing coriander seeds in October resulted in significant increase in growth characters, fruit yield and essential oil composition compared with other sowing dates in both seasons.Foliar applications of some natural stimulants (Chitosan, followed by Moringa leaf extract then Salicylic acid) significantly affected all studied parameters compared to the treatments of seaweed extract and the control plant.Moreover, the interaction treatments indicated that the highest means values for most growth characters, fruit yield and essential oil productivity were recorded from plants sown in October and sprayed with Chitosan.Delayed sowing in December and January and spraying with Moringa leaf extract gave good production at cold temperature.The G.L.C. of essential oil revealed total of 11 compounds.The main compound was linalool which constitutes 79.8 % in October sowing date with Chitosan foliar application and the sowing date in January with Moringa leaf extract application was 78.3 %.These results showed that, it is possible to produce coriander plants under different climate conditions by using some natural stimulants.Fruits yield and active constituents under early and normal sowing dates could be improved by spraying plants with chitosan foliar application, while under delayed sowing dates spraying plants with moringa leaf extract.