Using Moringa oleifera extract as biostimulant enhancing the growth, yield and nutrients accumulation of pea plants

Abstract

ABSTRACTTrials on the potentials of moringa for organic farming have shown that leaves contain substances, which when sprayed on crops enhance growth and yield of crops. Moringa is nutrient-rich plant with combination of antioxidants, amino acids, nutrients, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe) and vitamins. A field experiment was conducted on a sandy soil conditions at Salhia El-gdida county, El-Sharkia Government, Egypt during the growth seasons of 2014/2015 to study the effect of moringa leaves extract (MLE) at different rates on yield and nutrient accumulation of pea plants (pisum sativum L.). Foliar spraying of MLE was done in three equal doses at 25, 35 and 45 after planting at a rate of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4%. All treatments of MLE significantly increased fresh pods yield, shoot and seeds dry weight, biological yield, 100 seed weight, yield efficiency, protein content and nutrient accumulation as compared to control. The highest values of photosynthetic pigments, growth parameters and nutrient accumulation of plants were obtained with 4% of MLE. Also, the highest percentage increase in fresh pods yield and protein content of 82.5% and 45%, respectively, was recorded from the treatment of 4% MLE.