Foliar application of moringa leaf extract improves the growth of moringa seedlings in winter

Abstract Moringa is a multipurpose plant due to enormous benefits but chilling temperature in winter results in various physiological and metabolic disturbances in cells of this plant which leads to vegetative growth inhibition in moringa. To overcome this problem, foliar application of various biostimulants might be viable option. Moringa leaf extract is also getting popularity as bio-stimulant. Therefore, present study was conducted to test the growth of moringa seedling under low temperature regime (12.9–20.1 °C) in response to foliar application of moringa leaf extract, hydrogen peroxide, ascorbic acid and salicylic acid. Seeds of moringa accessions were collected from concerning locations and seedlings were grown in polythene bags filled with equal ratio of compost, sand, silt and clay. All foliar treatments were applied twice at the age of one and three months of seedlings. Growth and biochemical parameters were recorded by using standard procedures. Foliar application of moringa leaf extract at the rate of 3% significantly improved the number of branches (66%), leaves (52%), leaflets (42%), leaf chlorophyll a (41%) and b (71%) and total chlorophyll (49%) contents, membrane stability index (45%) and leaf phenolic contents (78%) of moringa seedlings as compared to control after first round of treatment application. After second round of foliar application of moringa leaf extract at the rate of 3% significantly increased the number of branches (92%), leaves (141%), leaflets (61%), leaf chlorophyll a (51%) and b (61%), total chlorophyll contents (54%), membrane stability index (60%) and leaf phenolic contents (63%) of moringa seedlings. Vigorous growth of moringa seedlings under low temperature stress ensured the defensive potential of moringa leaf extract against low temperature stress.