The effect of foliar application of Moringa leaf extract on biomass, grain yield of wheat and applied nutrient efficiency

ABSTRACTMoringa leaf extracts (MLE) from two varieties of Moringa oleifera Lam. were applied to leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in two glasshouse experiments. MLE was extracted from the leaves of using three different solvents (hexane, butanol; ethyl-acetate). The extracts were applied as foliar sprays at different growth stages of wheat (T. aestivum L.) grown on two soil types with either adequate or low phosphorus (P) nutrient additions at Albany, Western Australia. Sprays were applied at the 4–5 leaf (tillering) and the 7-leaf (Boot) stage either as a single spray or a combination of sprays at tillering and boot stage. The application of MLE either at tillering or boot stage increased the dry weight of shoots (biomass) and grain yield of wheat. A foliar spray of MLE applied at tillering increased biomass at the boot stage by ∼37% and grain yield increased by ∼34% compared to nil MLE spray. A single spray of MLE increased grain yield by ∼30% when applied at boot stage. A single application at til...