Evaluating the Impact of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract on Drought Stress Mitigation to Enhance Growth and Yield in Mung Bean (Vigna radiata)

• DOI: 10.55627/agrivet.003.02.0805
• Publication Date: 2024-11-30T20:58:09Z
• Authors: Muhammad Haris; Sajid Ali; Mehreen Hassan; Adnan Zahid; Muhammad Taqqi Abbas; Ammara Fatima; Bushra Zulfiqar; Zaira Ahmad; Sumaira Maqsood; Syed Zia ul Hasan

Vigna radiata (mung bean) is a well-known agricultural crop with high nutritional value and adaptability. In volatile climates, drought stress poses a threat to its production. Moringa Leaf Extract (MLE) is a natural remedy that includes bioactive ingredients and eco-friendly organic fertilizer. In order to improve plant growth, productivity, water usage effectiveness, and nutrient availability, MLEs are essential for controlling drought stress. This mixture strengthens agricultural resilience and works well with habitats that lack water. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an extract from moringa leaves may help preserve Mung agriculture from drought stress. Three water conditions were used to grow the seeds: normal (control; 100% field capacity), moderate (75%), and severe (50%). Then, to aid in growth and the creation of pods, moringa leaf extracts (Control: no MLE, 5x, 10x, and 20x dilutions) were sprayed as foliar spray at various points during germination, vegetative growth, reproductive development, and pod formation. Agronomic, yield, and grain quality indicators in agricultural crops were severely impacted by water stress, although leaf extracts at a 5x dilution dramatically improved root dry weight, shoot dry weight, and the number of pods and seeds harvested under both favorable and unfavorable growing circumstances. Extract has significantly increased the germination rate to 15% compared to seed that was sowed during a drought. In a similar vein, the use of MLE raised shoot and root dry weight by 62% as compared to plants under severe drought conditions. The number of pods dramatically increased by 57% compared to the plant in drought-stricken conditions. The seeds were positively impacted by MLE with a 5x dilution as it increased their quantity by 60% in comparison to the plant under drought, which had the greatest 100 seed weight of 6.02g. Regarding the drought-stressed plant, 5x diluted MLE likewise had a positive impact on biological yield and grain yield, which increased to 73 and 93%, respectively. A 77% rise in the harvest index between the MLE-applied crop and the drought-stressed crop is also notable. From this study, it can be inferred that 5x Dilution leaf extract has a stronger bio stimulant capacity than other Dilutions, which could assist Mung bean seeds produce more seeds and lessen the effects of drought stress.