Irshad Sohail, Matloob Amar, Mehmood Kashf, Nawaz Muhammad, Iqbal Shahid, Wahid Muhammad Ashfaq, Ikram Rao Muhammad, Ghafoor Muhammad Atif, Siddiqui Manzer H, Alamri Saud, Khan Shahbaz
Department of Agronomy, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan.
Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 1;15(1):20431. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-95404-0.
Naturally occurring plant based biostimulants can be used to improve crop productivity and quality as an eco-friendly approach. Moringa oleifera, known as the miracle tree, is a rich source of essential nutrients and beneficial compounds that can act as a potent growth enhancer. Its leaves are nutrient dense that contain rich blends of essential vitamins (A, C, K, and E), riboflavin, iron (Fe) and diverse range of phenolics. The current work (pot experiment) aimed to appraise whether moringa dried leaf extract (MDLE) could improve growth, physiology, seed nutritional and quality attributes of soybean (Glycine max). The designed study followed a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement having four replications examining various MDLE concentrations [water spray as control, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% (w/v)] and growth stages [vegetative (V4, four leaf stage) and reproductive (R1: onset of flowering)] of soybean. The results revealed that foliar application of 1.5% MDLE during the reproductive stage of soybean showcased statistically significant improvements in growth, yield and seed nutritional attributes. Notably, seedling growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments, leaf area, gas exchange parameters, yield attributes, seed nutritional and quality attributes were significantly boosted. The observed improvements in soybean growth, physiology, and yield can be attributed to the bioactive compounds in MDLE. Cytokinins promote cell division and delay senescence, antioxidants mitigate oxidative stress, and essential minerals enhance nutrient uptake and enzymatic activity. These interactions collectively enhance photosynthesis, biomass accumulation, and seed development, leading to improved crop performance. Overall, increments in seedling growth metrics (22%), leaf area (16.12%), carotenoids (photosynthetic pigment) (8.33%), gas exchange attributes (18%), yield components (37%) and seed nutritional attributes (18%) were observed with 1.5% MDLE application during the reproductive stage. This underscores the potential of MDLE foliar application during reproductive stage in improving soybean growth, quality and seed nutritional contents. Compared to other biostimulants, MDLE offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative with multiple benefits, including enhanced nutrient efficiency, reduced dependency on synthetic fertilizers, and potential resilience against abiotic stress. Its scalability in large-scale agriculture is promising due to its easy preparation, affordability, and compatibility with existing farming practices, making it an attractive option for sustainable intensification. Future research should uncover how MDLE works and its potential in stressful environments in field as well as in controlled conditions, advancing sustainable agriculture.
天然存在的植物源生物刺激素可作为一种生态友好型方法用于提高作物产量和品质。辣木，被誉为神奇之树，是必需营养素和有益化合物的丰富来源，可作为一种强大的生长促进剂。其叶子营养丰富，含有多种必需维生素（维生素A、C、K和E）、核黄素、铁（Fe）以及多种酚类物质。当前的工作（盆栽试验）旨在评估辣木干叶提取物（MDLE）是否能改善大豆（Glycine max）的生长、生理、种子营养和品质特性。设计的研究采用完全随机设计和析因排列，有四个重复，研究了不同的MDLE浓度[喷水作为对照、0.5%、1.0%和1.5%（w/v）]以及大豆的生长阶段[营养期（V4，四叶期）和生殖期（R1：开花始期）]。结果表明，在大豆生殖期叶面喷施1.5%的MDLE在生长、产量和种子营养特性方面显示出统计学上的显著改善。值得注意的是，幼苗生长特性、光合色素、叶面积、气体交换参数、产量特性、种子营养和品质特性均得到显著提高。在大豆生长、生理和产量方面观察到的改善可归因于MDLE中的生物活性化合物。细胞分裂素促进细胞分裂并延缓衰老，抗氧化剂减轻氧化应激，必需矿物质增强养分吸收和酶活性。这些相互作用共同增强光合作用、生物量积累和种子发育，从而提高作物性能。总体而言，在生殖期施用1.5%的MDLE可使幼苗生长指标提高22%、叶面积提高16.12%、类胡萝卜素（光合色素）提高8.33%、气体交换特性提高18%、产量构成要素提高37%以及种子营养特性提高18%。这突出了在生殖期叶面喷施MDLE在改善大豆生长、品质和种子营养含量方面的潜力。与其他生物刺激素相比，MDLE提供了一种具有成本效益且环境友好的选择，具有多种益处，包括提高养分效率、减少对合成肥料的依赖以及对非生物胁迫的潜在抗性。由于其易于制备、价格低廉且与现有耕作方法兼容，它在大规模农业中的可扩展性很有前景，使其成为可持续集约化的有吸引力的选择。未来的研究应揭示MDLE的作用机制及其在田间和控制条件下的胁迫环境中的潜力，以推动可持续农业发展。
