Application of Moringa oleifera leaf extract improves quality and yield of peach (Prunus persica)

Abstract

Use of plant growth promoters has become very
effective in commercial agriculture. Moringa leaf extract
(MLE) being a source of cytokinin (zeatin) with growth
enhancing properties has played a vital role for enhancing
yield potential and fruit quality in various crops. The
research trial was envisaged under peculiar climatic
conditions of Soon Valley, Khushab, Punjab, Pakistan
during 2018. Research trial was executed on twenty plants
of peach cv. Early Grand with uniform age and stature to
determine the response of MLE spray on fruit quality and
resultant yield. Different concentrations of MLE (0, 2, 4 and 6%) were applied during the fruit setting. Plants sprayed
with 2% aqueous solution of MLE exhibited maximum fruit
diameter (7.8 cm), pulp weight (167.77 g), fruit weight (174.7
g) and yield per tree (80.40 kg) along with significant
reduction in fruit drop (25.20%). However, stone weight was
noted as a non-significant entity. Biochemically significant
effects were noted for the same treatment regarding TSS
(13.69 °Brix), acidity (0.26%), vitamin C (6.02 mg/100g), nonreducing sugars (4.42%), reducing sugars (1.70%) and total
sugars (6.02%). Keeping in view aforementioned results it is
concluded that in order to improve the quality and yield
attributes of peach foliar application of 2% MLE is a pragmatic
approach. © 2020 Department of Agricultural Sciences, AIOU