Effect of foliar application of moringa leaf extract on growth and fruit yield of Capsicum annuum L. (chilli) cv. MIPC-1

This study was carried out in the Crop Farm of Eastern University, Sri Lanka during the period from January to May 2019 to ascertain the effect of foliar application of moringa leaf extract (MLE) on growth and fruit yield of Capsicum annum L.cv (chilli) MIPC-1. This investigation was followed in a pot experiment with Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with seven treatments and seven replicates. The concentrations of Moringa leaf extract were 10%, 20%, 30% in addition to 0% (distilled water) as control. The treatments included were; T0 - control (Distilled water), T1 - 10% MLE at once a week interval, T2 - 10% MLE at once in two weeks interval, T3 - 20% MLE at once a week interval, T4 - 20% MLE at once in two weeks interval, T5 - 30% MLE at once a week interval and T6 - 30% MLE at once in two weeks interval. The Moringa oleifera leaf extract was sprayed on leaves and axial parts starting from two weeks after transplanting (WAT) and it was continued until pod formation. 25 ml of MLE was sprayed per plant. The results of the experiment showed that the foliar application of MLE with 10% concentration at one-week interval had significant (p<0.05) effects on the plant height, number of branches/plant, dry weight of leaves/plant, stems/plant, roots/plant, fruit/plant and total dry of plant were statistically analysed using Statistically Analytical Software (SAS). The results indicated that the foliar application of moringa leaf extract stimulated the growth and fruit yield of chilli. Based on the results, it was concluded that MLE helps in improving the growth and fruit yield of Chilli and MLE with 10% concentration at one-week interval is recommended for improved growth and fruit yield of Capsicum annuum L.cv.(Chilli) MIPC-1.