10 Chapter-2.

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Chapter 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The Moringa( Moringa oleifera) extract can be used to accelerate plant growth
because it contains zeatin, cytokinin, ascorbate, phenolic, and minerals such as Ca, K,
and Fe which can trigger plant growth.
Moringa extract has a high content of macro and microelements which enhanced
the chemical components in fruits. This finding has also been supported by Yameogo et
al. (2011). They found out that Moringa oleifera extract is a rich source of important
minerals such as Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Zn, P, S, Cu, Mn, Se and Na which boosted plants to
accumulate progressively beneficial elements, which increase the plant nutrient status.
Middle East Journal of Agriculture said that spraying tomato plants with
Moringa leaf extract at a concentration of 4% was the superior treatment to obtain the
maximum values of vegetative growth, fresh fruit yield and its components as well as
chemical constituents in the fresh fruits, i.e. K, Ca and carbohydrates as well as vitamin C
content (%).
Moringa oleifera leaves extract (MLE) is the most natural plant growth enhancer,
has no cost, and enhances the tolerance of plants under different environmental
conditions like drought. Drought stress has a destructive effect on the content of
cytokinin in plant. On the other hand, the high level of zeatin makes Moringa Leaves
6
Extract (MLE) more effective as a natural compound promoting plant tolerance under
stress conditions (Zaki & Rady, 2015).
Moringa leaves are rich in ascorbic acid, vitamin E, phenols, and essential
nutrients that not only benefit human health but also appear to contain cytokinins that
improve plant growth (Foidl et al., 2001; Nagar et al., 1982; Nouman et al., 2012).
Foidl et al. (2001) demonstrated that MLE increased plant biomass and dry matter
content, branching, flowering, and flower retention among a wide variety of plant
species.
More recent researches provided evidence of the benefits of MLE for improving
seed germination, biomass production, and yield of blue panicum grass (Panicum
antidotale), barnyard grass (Echinachloa crusgalli), buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris), wheat
(Triticum aestivum), and maize (Zea mays) (Afzal et al., 2012; Nouman et al., 2012;
Yasmeen et al., 2013). In these experiments, MLE also protected maize from low-
temperature stress (Afzal et al., 2012) and wheat from salinity stress (Yasmeen et al.,
2013)
Moringa oleifera is one of such plants that has been identified to contain natural
antioxidants; particularly the leaves of moringa are a good source of natural antioxidants
due to the presence of phenolics, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and flavonoids (Mabaso,
2019).
Bashir et al. (2014), documented that MLE significantly increased the average
plant height, number of leaves and branches, and yield of the tomato plant. Application of
7
MLE was shown to increase yields of crops such as tomato, onions, bell pepper, soybean,
sorghum, coffee, tea, chili, melon, and maize (Fuglie, 2000).
Method of Extraction
The extract was made by pounding Moringa leaves (not more than 40 days)
together with a bit of water (about 200m1 per 1kg of fresh leaves). A muslin cloth was
used in sieving the decoction. A fine filtrate was obtained, and the residue was discarded
which served as the crude or stock solution. From the stock, stem out the 5
concentrations. A spraying gun was used to spray the seedlings in each of the polythene
bags. About 33.3mls of the different percentages of the concentration were directly
spread on each seedling.
However, the different concentrations referred to as treatments were prepared,
viz: 1kg of fresh Moringa leaves was pounded and 200 ml of water was added. After
extracting the crude, the extract was measured for treatment A with 20%, B with 40%, C
with 60%, D with 80%, and E with 1 00%. One hundred (l00ml) of distilled water
collected from the mycology laboratory was also sprayed at the stem base of the plant
labeled F at the same time which serves as a control. (Bashir Kutawa 2014)
Moringa Leaf Extract (MLE): A Natural Plant Growth Enhancer
Leaves of Moringa oleifera are rich in zeatin, a cytokinin in addition to other
growth-enhancing compounds like ascorbates, phenolic, and minerals like Ca, K, and Fe
that makes it an excellent crop growth enhancer. Moringa leaf extract is best used as a
plant growth enhancer. Foidle (1999) carried out a project named "Biomasa" to grow
Moringa and explored the foliar effects of its extract on three different concentration i.e.,
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low (12.5 g MLE in 100 ml water), medium (25g MLE in 100 ml water) and high
(50gMLE in 100 ml water) on tomato and eggplant (25 ml per plant). It was reported that
a medium level of MLE was more effective than other treatments. There was an increase
of 94% in tomatoes and 65% in eggplant because of the MLE application. Lab
experimentation had shown that Moringa spray had a wide range of beneficial effects on
plant crops. Effects of spray indicated accelerated growth of young plants. Plants were
firmer, more resistant to pests and disease, had longer life-span, heavier roots, stems, and
leaves, produced more fruit, larger fruit, and increase in yield by 20-35% even if a
fraction of these results could be reproduced in the field it could be a great help in
increasing food supplies for millions of hungry people (Foidle et al., 2001). Moringa leaf
extract has growth stimulating properties and its foliar spray has been found to positively
increase the productivity and yield of the treated crop (Andrews, 2006).

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5

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

and Fe which can trigger plant growth.

stress conditions (Zaki & Rady, 2015).

antidotale), barnyard grass (Echinachloa crusgalli), buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris), wheat

sorghum, coffee, tea, chili, melon, and maize (Fuglie, 2000).

spread on each seedling.

However, the different concentrations referred to as treatments were prepared,

Moringa Leaf Extract (MLE): A Natural Plant Growth Enhancer

Leaves of Moringa oleifera are rich in zeatin, a cytokinin in addition to other

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