Abstract
Moringa is a valuable plant whose leaves are enriched with antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and mineral nutrients and can be used as a bio-stimulant. A field work was conducted at the Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, during rabi season from November 2017 to February 2018 in order to investigate the effect of moringa leaf extract (MLE) on growth, yield and nutrient status of cabbage. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four treatments and three replications. The treatments were T1 (control), T2 (MLE) sprayed at 2 weeks after transplanting only], T3 (MLE sprayed at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after transplanting), T4(MLE sprayed at 2 weeks after transplanting and after every two weeks thereafter). The rate of MLE application was 25 mL plant-1. All the treatments received recommended dose of N, P, K, S, Zn and B fertilizers. The application of MLE significantly improved the growth parameters, yield and yield contributing characters as well as nutrient content and uptake of cabbage. Among the parameters plant height (33.40 cm), leaf number (19.33 cm), length of the largest leaf (29.00 cm), head thickness (9.67 cm), head diameter (20.33 cm), gross yield (72.83 t ha-1) and marketable yield (48.87 t ha-1), were maximum in T4 where MLE was sprayed at 2 weeks after transplanting and after every two weeks thereafter. The lowest values of all these parameters were found in T1 where no MLE was sprayed. Foliar application of MLE also improved the concentration and uptake of macronutrients (N, P, K and S) in head of cabbage. Thus, application of MLE as a bio-stimulant has the potentiality to enhance growth, yield and nutritional quality of cabbage.
 Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2020, 6(2): 196-203
Highlights
Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is a perennial vegetable tree which is found wild and cultivated in many countries of the world including the tropics of Asia, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa
Foliar application of moringa leaf extract (MLE) had no significant effect on other growth parameters viz. leaf breadth and fresh root weight but these parameters were improved with the increase of the frequency of MLE application
The lowest values of number of leaf breadth (21.30 cm) and fresh root weight (19.33 g) were observed in control treatment (T1). These results are in agreement with those of many researchers who reported significantly better growth parameters including plant height, weight of shoot, number of leaves etc. in different vegetables and legume crops namely okra, pepper, snap bean, common bean, eggplant and tomato etc. by foliar application of MLE compared to control (Aluko et al, 2017; Hala et al, 2017; Merwad, 2017; Matthew, 2016; Emongor, 2015; Rady and Mohamed, 2015; Ozobia, 2014)
Summary
Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is a perennial vegetable tree which is found wild and cultivated in many countries of the world including the tropics of Asia, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa. In Bangladesh it is grown as a homestead multipurpose tree which has both nutritional and medicinal value. Many researchers have reported that moringa is a highly valued plant having multipurpose effects on plants and animals (Yang et al, 2006; Anwar et al, 2007; Adebayo et al, 2011; Moyo et al, 2011; Mishra et al, 2011). Now-a-days, natural plant growth bio-stimulants are intensively used for plant growing in normal and stress conditions. The overall effects of all the growth enhancing components in moringa leaf extract (MLE) have made it a novel and marvelous natural bio-stimulant. Many recent scientific reports have highlighted that MLE application to plant can provide beneficial nutrient elements, improve antioxidant defense system and enhance
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