Agronomic and biochemical aspects of moringa dried leaf extract mediated growth and yield improvements in soybean

ABSTRACT

Stimulatory effects of foliar application of moringa dried leaf extract (MDLE) at different growth stages were evaluated on soybean growth, physiology and productivity in a bioassay. The experiment comprised of two factors; foliar application of MDLE [T₁: Water spray, T₂: 0.5% w/v, T₃: 1.0% and T₄: 1.5%] and growth stages for foliar application, viz. S₁: Vegetative stage (V4, four leaf stage) and S₂: Reproductive stage (R1: onset of flowering). Foliar application of MDLE increased the growth, physiological, biochemical, yield and quality attributes of soybean. Notably, the application of 1.5% MDLE at the reproductive stage led to impressive boosts in seedling weight, chlorophyll contents, plant height, pod formation and seed yield. This concentration demonstrated the highest surge in gas exchange attributes and quality components like seed oil and protein contents. Significant increase in growth attributes (10–22%), photosynthetic pigments (7–10%), gas exchange attributes (21%), quality attributes (5–8%) and seed yield (27%) was recorded with 1.5% MDLE application. It is ascertained that the application of 1.5% MDLE at the reproductive stage improves soybean growth, yield and quality. This research provides quantitative confirmation of MDLE foliar application, emphasising its potential role as a natural growth enhancer for soybean crop.

KEYWORDS:

• Biochemical attributes
• biostimulants
• growth and yield response
• growth stages
• Moringa dried leaf extract
• soybean productivity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).