Maximizing Leaves, Inflorescences, and Chemical Composition Production of Moringa oleifera Trees under Calcareous Soil Conditions

Abstract

One of the main issues limiting plant productivity is a lack of soil nutrient resources, especially in calcareous soil, which covers more than one third of the world’s land surface area. On the other hand, despite rising demand for all parts of the Moringa oleifera tree, several studies have focused on its leaf production as an herbaceous plant, rather than as a tree, and no extensive research has been carried out on leaf and inflorescence production in the mature tree. As a result, the influence of vermicompost and NPK (minerals and nanoparticles), as well as their combination, under calcareous soil conditions, was investigated in this study. The experiment was set up as a split plot in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. In both seasons considered in this study, it was discovered that increasing the quantity of vermicompost and employing NPK fertilization, as well as their combination treatments, greatly enhanced all parameters and yield of distinct Moringa oleifera tree parts. Furthermore, the combination treatment T21 yielded the highest mean values of growth, leaves, and chemical composition parameters, as well as the highest yield from the Moringa oleifera tree. In both seasons, the highest number of inflorescences per tree, as well as the yield of fresh and dry inflorescences, was measured using combination treatment T18. In both seasons, however, increasing the level of vermicompost, NPK, and their combination treatments significantly reduced the total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of dry Moringa oleifera leaves.

Response of Growth, Yield, and Phytochemical Behavior of Jojoba Genotypes to Azolla filiculoides Plant Extract

“…Plant metabolism changes towards the formation of N-compounds in high N circumstances, with less production of secondary non-N-containing metabolites such as phenolics, fatty acids, and terpenoids [ 42 , 43 ]. These results are similar to those of Atteya et al [ 8 , 9 ].…”

“…As a result, it can be utilized in the chemical industry [ 1 ] as a basic feedstock for medications, lubricants, gear additives, extenders, and anti-foaming agents, as well as in the wax and polish industries [ 3 , 4 ]. Plant development, blooming, and fruiting, as well as seed yield and consistency, are influenced by a variety of factors such as environmental conditions, plant growth regulators, nutrients, and genotype [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Plants with increased oil content and more seeds are developed through selective breeding [ 2 ].…”

“…Nitrogen is a macro-element that plays an important function in plant development and growth [ 17 ]. Organic and biological sources of nitrogen are an important method for enhancing crop yields under organic farming practices [ 7 , 8 ] because N is required for maximum growth and optimal production. The free-floating fern Azolla filiculoides Lam.…”

Exogenously Supplemented Proline and Phenylalanine Improve Growth, Productivity, and Oil Composition of Salted Moringa by Up-Regulating Osmoprotectants and Stimulating Antioxidant Machinery

“…In the current study, moringa trees grown under the lowest level of salinity (1000 ppm) produced plants with better growth and more leaves and seed yield. Moringa trees are fast-growing evergreen or deciduous trees that can reach a height of 10 to 12 m [35]. Plants with faster growth presented a level of salinity tolerance because of the dilution effect, which lowered the negative impacts of excessive Na + ions [36].…”

“…Increasing salinity levels resulted in a reduction in oil yield from moringa trees while increasing oil percent. This could be because, under stress conditions, plants shift their metabolites to generate secondary metabolites (osmolytes, fatty acids, antioxidant compounds, and terpenoids [35,70], with a greater reduction in plant growth and seed yield, resulting in an increase in oil percent with a reduction in seed yield. The larger drop in seed yield relative to oilseed yield is constant with that obtained by [35,71].…”