Abstract:
A pot experiment was carried out at the crop farm, Eastern University of Sri Lanka, from January
to May 2019 to evaluate the impact of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE) on yield and quality
attributes of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) var. MIPC-01. MLE is considered as a natural plant
growth enhancer. Because it contains appreciable amounts of plant growth regulators such as
cytokinin in the form of zeatin, antioxidants, proteins, β- carotene, vitamin C and phenols, and
had a remarkable effect on yield in many plants such as onions, bell pepper, soybean, sorghum,
coffee, tea, chilli, melon and maize. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized
Design with seven replicates and seven treatments. The treatments were (T0) control (Distilled
water) and T1, T3 and T5 were treated with 10, 20 and 30% MLE once a week. Whereas, T2, T4
and T6 were treated with 10, 20 and 30% MLE once in two weeks interval. Young moringa
leaves and the tender parts were shade dried for four days and made into powder. Then the
powdered material was used for the preparation of MLE. Stock solution (100% MLE) was
prepared and refrigerated and then, the different concentrations were prepared by adding
distilled water on volume basis. Foliar application of MLE was commenced at 2 weeks after
transplanting (WAT) and continued until pod formation. For once in a week and once in two
weeks, the plants were sprayed with MLE eight and four times, respectively. At each time, the
plant was sprayed with 25 ml of MLE. The results suggest that foliar application of MLE at 10%
in one week interval had significant (p<0.05) effects on the number of pods/ plant, number of
seeds/pod, length of the pod, total yield/plant, leaf chlorophyll content, total soluble solid
content over the control. Therefore, it was concluded that MLE is helpful in improving yield and
quality attributes of chilli and MLE at 10% at one week interval is recommended for improving
the yield and quality of chilli. Application of MLE is the cheapest, environmental friendly and
low-cost technology for enhancing yield in chilli.
