Allelopathic effect of Moringa oleifera on germination and physiology of seedlings in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of leaf extract of Moringa oleifera on germination and physiology of maize seedlings at Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, KPK, during the kharif season 2023. The experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications and five treatments of Moringa oleifera leaf extract at concentrations of 2.5 %, 5 %, 7.5 %, 10 %, and 12.5 % (v/v). A control treatment was also included for the comparison of different treatments’ means. Data on germination %, days to emergence, leaf area index (cm^-2) at 20 and 40 days after germination, SPAD value at 20 and 30 days after germination, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, shoot length (cm), root length (cm), shoot fresh weight (g) and shoot dry weight (g) was recorded. The results revealed that MLE 2.5 % v/v and 5 % v/v significantly improved the germination % (86.33 and 73.33) and days to emergence (3.66 days) as compared to control (68.30 and 6.33), respectively. Similarly, leaf area index at 20 and 40 days after germination, SPAD value at 20 and 40 days after germination, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, root and shoot length, seedlings fresh and dry weight were significantly higher in the maize seedlings treated with MLE 2.5 %. However, other treatments (7.5 %, 10 % and 12.5 %) showed inhibitory effect on all the traits studied throughout the course of the experiment. Thus, from the present research study it might be recommended that by using Moringa oleifera leaf extract at lower concentrations from 3-5 % can act as plant growth regulator to increase crop production and sustainable agriculture. © 2025 The Author(s)