Foliar Application of Moringa Leaf Extracts Affects Growth, Yield and Mineral Composition of Pepper (Capsicum Annuum L.) under Greenhouse Conditions

The higher cost and increased pollution caused by the intensive use of fertilizers in growing vegetables necessitates the use of safer organic bio-stimulants to partially substitute fertilizers. Analyses of leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera and Moringa peregrina in the present study confirmed their rich content of diverse compounds and elements and indicated that except for Mg and Ca, M. oleifera outyielded M. peregrina for the measured elements and bio-constituents. Foliar spray of leaf extracts of M. oleifera and M. peregrina at (1:10, 1:20, 1:30 extract: distilled water) was attempted on pepper plants under greenhouse conditions every two weeks for five times starting 30 days after transplanting date. Enhanced vegetative growth parameters (plant height, number of branches and leaves, plant fresh and dry weights, leaf area, and leaf chlorophyll-content) and better yield attributes (Fruit yield•plant-1 and hectare-1) were obtained by foliar spraying of plants with the concentrated extract 1:10 of moringa species. The vegetative growth of pepper plants was significantly influenced by extract concentration, moringa type•concentration, but not for moringa type (P≤0.05). However, moringa type, extract concentration and their interactions significantly affected pepper fruit-yield•plant-1, pepper fruit-yield•ha-1 and mineral content of pepper leaves (P≤0.05). Irrespective of moringa type, the highest extract concentration 1:10 resulted in the highest yield •plant-1 (1.68 kg) and yield•hectare-1 (16.88 ton) of peppers. The present study highlighted the potential of using extracts of moringa trees in organic farming.