Impact of Foliar Application of Moringa Leaf Extract on Yield and Quality Attributes of Chili (Capsicum Annuum L.) Cv. MIPC-01

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.