Moringa olifera leaf extract increases physio-biochemical properties, growth and yield of Pisum sativum grown under salinity stress

Abstract

The soil salinity is a dominant abiotic problem in arid and semi-arid region of the world. It occurs naturally due to low rainfall and accumulation of salts to soil surface, aided by human activities; excessive irrigations, over-use of fertilizers and poor drainage. The study was aimed to investigate the mitigating role of Moringa olifera leaf extract (MLE) in pea grown under salinity stress. Pea (Pisum sativum) variety-Pea-2009 was grown under control and salt (100 mM NaCl) stress. The MLE extract (3%) was applied as a seed priming and foliar spray. Salinity stress caused a significant (P<0.001) decrease in plant growth (fresh and dry biomass of shoot and root s), leaf relative water contents, chlorophyll a and b, carotenoid, TFAAs, proline, K+ and antioxidants (POD, APX, and CAT), whereas the application of MLE either (seed priming/foliar spray) enhanced all studied attributes under both control and saline conditions. However, Na+, MDA, and H2O2 contents were enhanced under salinity stress. Whereas the application of MLE (seed priming/ foliar spray) enhanced shoot and root fresh and dry weights as compared to saline treatment. While on the other hand the application of MLE (seed priming/ foliar spray) enhanced leaf relative water contents, total chlorophyll contents, total soluble proteins, total free amino acids, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, proline, K+ contents of shoot and root while lowered H2O2, MDA, Na+ contents of root and shoot compared to their respective saline treatments. Similarly, MLE also enhanced pea seed yield to 36% (priming) and 33 (foliar spray) under salinity stress which was reduced to 56% under salinity stress. The exogenous application of MLE either seed priming or foliar spray, potentially enhanced growth and yield of economically important crops grown under salinity stress by maintaining better physio-biochemical indices.