Screening of moringa landraces for leaf extract as biostimulant in wheat

Abstract

Moringa leaf aqueous extract recently has got attraction as biostimulant. However, the comparative effectiveness of different landraces has not been yet explored. A pot study was conducted to compare biostimulant potential of two prominent local moringa landraces [White seeded moringa from Faisalabad origin (MFSD) and black seeded moringa from Multan origin (MMUL)] and moringa PKM1 (Indian cultivated variety) alone and in combination with hydrogen peroxide (2 μM), ascorbic acid (ASA; 50 mg L-1) and salicylic acid (SA; 50 mg L-1) on wheat cultivar i.e. Galaxy during 2014. The integrated application of alone and blended moringa leaf extract (MLE), used as priming agent or foliar spray at seedling age of 10 and 20 days after emergence, improved significantly speed and spread of emergence (time to start emergence, time to 50% emergence, mean emergence time and emergence index) and seedling vigor (shoot and root length and fresh and dry weight), and final emergence count as compared to control, hydropriming and water spray. Exogenously application of leaf extract from MFSD as priming agent reduced time to 50% emergence (14.7% alone and 20% blended MLE), mean emergence time (5%) and hence improved emergence index (25.6% alone and 29.8% blended) as compared to control. Furthermore higher root length (40% priming application) and dry weight (47% foliar application) were obtained as compared to control. Maximum biostimulant potential of leaf extract of Faisalabad origin moringa was observed regarding seedling vigor alone and in combination with growth promoting substances.