POTENTIAL OF MORINGA (MORINGA OLEIFERA: MORINGACEAE) AS PLANT GROWTH REGULATOR AND BIO-PESTICIDE AGAINST WHEAT APHIDS ON WHEAT CROP (TRITICUM AESTIVUM; POACEAE)

Abstract

Moringa oleifera commonly known as Moringa is a multipurpose plant. Field trials were conducted to assess the potency of Moringa leaf (MLE) and root extracts (MRE) as plant growth regulator (PGR) and a Bio-pesticide on wheat crop. At distinct crop growth stages (tillering, booting, and heading) with different concentrations (5, 10, 12.5, and 25% v/v or w/v or w/w) of MLE and MRE were applied. Results showed statistically significant increase in crop growth traits and reduction in aphid infestation (booting, milk, and heading stage). As plant growth regulator maximum leaf area duration (LAD), leaf area index (LAI), and total dry matter accumulation (TDM) were recorded at all growth stages for MLE 25%. Highest crop growth rate (CGR) (24.91 gm-2day-1) at tillering was achieved for MLE 5%, 13.04 gm-2day-1 for MRE 10% at booting stage and 8.76 gm-2day-1 for MLE 10% at heading stage. Maximum thousand grains weight (57.33g), highest number of spikes per plant (9.67plant-1) and maximum grain yield (4446Kg hac-1) were determined for MLE 25%. The heading stage of the crop was heavily infested with aphids and MLE 5% significantly reduced pest infestation compared to other concentrations of MLE and MRE and control group. Overall, MLE and MRE proved very effective as plant growth regulator and a Biopesticide against wheat aphid on wheat crop.