Vol. 11, Issue 9 (2022)

Author(s):
T Gokulapriya, GJ Janavi, K Nageswari and MP Kavitha

Abstract:
The effect of foliar application of organic inputs on leaf biomass production of Annual Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) var. PKM 1 was studied during 2021-2022 at Western Block Farm of Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam. The Annual Moringa variety PKM 1 was transplanted at 1.5 m x 0.5 m spacing. Foliar application of organic inputs viz., Sea Weed Extract, Panchagavya, Moringa Leaf Extract at different concentrations was given as per the treatment schedule. The experimental plot was laid out in a Randomised Block Design (RBD) with three replications and nine treatments viz., T₁: Control (No spray), T₂: Sea Weed Extract (4%), T₃: Panchagavya (3%), T₄: Moringa Leaf Extract (5%), T₅: Moringa Leaf Extract (10%), T₆: Sea Weed extract (4%) + Moringa Leaf Extract (5%), T₇: Sea Weed extract (4%) + Moringa Leaf Extract (10%), T₈: Panchagavya (3%) + Moringa Leaf Extract (5%), T₉: Panchagavya (3%) + Moringa Leaf Extract (10%). These organic inputs were sprayed on foliage of PKM 1 Moringa plants. The first spray was on 25 days after transplanting and second spray 25 days after first harvest. Harvesting of Annual Moringa leaves was done on 60 days after transplanting leaving 60 cm above the ground level at every 45 days interval on subsequent harvest. Plant growth, leaf biomass yield and quality parameters were recorded in each harvest and the data was statistically analysed. The treatment T₄: Moringa Leaf Extract (5%) expressed significant with maximum plant height (149.60 and 183.00 cm), higher stem girth (6.72 and 10.50 cm) and more number of branches per plant (3.13 and 8.00), followed by T₅: Moringa Leaf Extract (10%) on first and second harvest. The number of compound leaves per plant, fresh leaf yield per hectare, dry leaf yield per hectare, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, β-carotene and moisture content were observed maximum in T₅: Moringa Leaf Extract (10%), followed by T₄: Moringa Leaf Extract (4%) compared to other treatments. The minimum was recorded in control. This study shows improved growth of Annual Moringa variety PKM 1 by the foliar application of organic inputs, in terms of better growth, yield and quality of biomass.