Herbicidal Potential and Identification of Allelochemicals from Moringa oleifera

Abstract

Background and Objective: Sunflower is one of the most important oilseed crops in the world due to the high oil contents in its seeds.However, its production is less as compared to potential use due to weed competition as one of the most factors affecting production. This study aimed to raise seed production and consequently oil production through overcoming weed problems using natural extract of Moringa oleifera. Materials and Methods: Sunflower plants and associated Econocloa colonum grassy weed in pot experiment were sprayed with Root, leaf and seeds water extracts of Moringa oleifera at the two concentrations (5 and 10%). Results: The results indicated a significant reduction in Econocloa colonum growth by all types of extracts as compared to the control. The higher concentration of leaf extract induced Maximum inhibition. In contrast, the reduction in weed growth was accompanied by an increase in sunflower growth and yield which was attained more increase by a higher concentration of leaf extract (10%). The results indicated that total polyphenol contents in the leaf extract were more than double their correspondence in both root and seed extract. Flavonoids were found in leaf extract only. The total reducing sugar in both leaf and seed extract was more than that in the root extract. The antioxidant activity in leaf extract was more than double of their correspondence in seed and root extract. Conclusion: Results are promising for controlling weeds as well as growth enhancement of the target plants especially by leaf extract of Moringa oleifera.

Application of Moringa leaves as soil amendment to tiger-nut for suppressing weeds in the Nigerian Savanna

“…However, in 2015, Moringa leaves incorporated reduced WCS, WD and WDMP by 25–73%, 35–78% and 26–70% respectively on Moringa leaves-treated plots (Table 4 ). These reductions could be attributed to the suppressive effect of Moringa leaves applied owing to the allelopathic effect of the Moringa leaves corroborated by earlier studies [ 5 – 8 ]. The higher the quantity of leaves applied the more the reduction (Table 4 ).…”

“…In addition to the numerous importance of Moringa, it also has tremendous allelopathic potential either to suppress or stimulate the neighbouring crop [ 3 ]. These allelopathic effects have been documented by various researchers [ 4 – 8 ]. Allelopathy refers to any process involving secondary metabolites produced by plants, micro-organisms, fungi etc.…”

“…They reported that allelochemicals released from plants are useful for weed management options in several agriculture settings to reduce dependency on commercial herbicide which has been found to be hazardous. Herbicidal effects of Moringa oleifera on the germination and seedling survival of Euphorbia heterophylla L. [ 5 ]; Amaranthus spinosus [ 6 ]; inhibitory effects of Moringa oleifera on the growth of broad and grassy weeds associated with Narcissus tazetta L. [ 7 ]; herbicidal actions of Moringa oleifera on sunflower associated grassy weed Econocloa colonum [ 8 ] have therefore been reported. Given this trend, there are no reports of studies conducted on both the text crop and in this ecology.…”