Optimization of Moringa oleifera Lam. Leaf Extract as a Priming Tool and Plant Nutrient Supplement for Helianthus annuus L

Research Article

Optimization of Moringa oleifera Lam. Leaf Extract as a Priming Tool and Plant Nutrient Supplement for Helianthus annuus L

Rana Nadeem Abbas, Qaiser Maqsood, Asif Iqbal, Haroon Zaman Khan, Muhammad Aamir Iqbal, Sher Afzal1 and Nadeem Akbar

Corresponding Author : Qaiser Maqsood,

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agriculture Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan.

Email ID : drqaiseruaf@gmail.com

Received : 2015-07-12 Accepted : 2015-09-07 Published : 2015-09-07

Abstract : To evaluate the comparative efficacy of different concentrations of moringa leaf extract on germination, seedling growth and seed yield of sunflower, two laboratory experiments in Allelopathy laboratory of Department of Agronomy and a field trial at Agronomic Research Area of University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, were conducted during spring, 2011. The experimental design of two laboratory experiments was CRD, while that of field trial was RCBD with factorial arrangement. Different concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of moringa leaf extract were used as treatments that were applied as foliar sprays at different time. The result showed that all concentration of moringa suppressed the sunflower germination, however moringa leaf extract in 5% concentration was effective in increasing the seedling growth and development. Results from field experiment showed that moringa leaf extract sprays in all concentrations at 45 and 60 DAS increased the sunflower seed yield. Thus foliar application of moringa leaf extract has the potential to increase the seed yield of sunflower and that too in an economic way.

Keywords : Achene yield, Allelopathy, Foliar sprays, Growth regulators, Zeatin

Citation : Qaiser Maqsood et al (2015). Optimization of Moringa oleifera Lam. Leaf Extract as a Priming Tool and Plant Nutrient Supplement for Helianthus annuus L. J. of Advanced Botany and Zoology, V3I304. DOI : 10.5281/zenodo.918363

Copyright : © 2015 Qaiser Maqsood. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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