Naveed Ahmed

Pakistani scientists have developed a miracle bio-stimulant from the leaves of moringa to promote the organic growth of crops and vegetables, WealthPK reports. Moringa leaf extract (MLE) is a plant bio-stimulant synthesised chemically for better crop yields. As an agricultural country, Pakistan needs to increase the yield of crops and vegetables for food security.

Agronomist Azra Yasmeen, an assistant professor at the Bahauddin Zakariya University, told WealthPK that they developed the bio-stimulant from the leaves of moringa and labelled it as Sanjhi. “The product promotes the organic growth of crops and vegetables. MLE is composed mainly of phytohormones, secondary metabolites, amino acids and bioactive substances, contributing to its effectiveness,” she added.

She said that preliminary tests of the bio-stimulant showed a 10% improvement in wheat and other crop yields and a 10% to 20% yearly seed saving. “The product can help increase agricultural output, ensure food security, and minimise the effects of climate change. The solution’s organic compositions support environmentally friendly, heat- and drought-resistant and economically advantageous approaches for Pakistan’s agricultural industry. A nation experiencing severe effects of climate change should prioritise organic argo climate-friendly solutions,” she added.

Azra Yasmeen said that consumers now placed a great emphasis on the quality of agricultural products. The quality of agricultural products depends on better sizes, forms, hardness levels, colours, flavours and tastes. The nutritional value, bioactive substances, and health advantages of agricultural goods are also of interest to consumers.

She said that plant bio-stimulants were one method for producing high-quality and environment-friendly goods. Products made from biological materials are known as biological stimulants. They increase plant productivity, such as yield, quality or efficiency. These bio-stimulants include critical nutrients, plant development regulators and defensive chemicals.

Azra Yasmeen said that distilled water was often used as the solvent for extracting moringa leaves as a bio-stimulant in a homemade machine or blender. Farmers may, however, also extract ethanolic MLE. They use aqueous MLE because it is affordable, simple to make and secure.

The scientist said that MLE increased the size and weight of the fruit. The diameter and weight of the berries increased in grapevines that received 2.5% or 3.5% MLE during vegetative development. The MLE aids in several stages of development through the presence of cytokinin zeatin, which increases the size of the citrus. The presence of natural minerals in MLE results in the production of larger and heavier fruits.

A foliar spray of MLE boosts crop firmness, affecting a product’s shelf life and market value as it contains macronutrients, micronutrients and cytokinin. It may have been due to greater anthocyanin and enzyme activity that MLE enhances the value and weight of plum fruit.

The type of carbohydrates stored by plants are starches, which are simple sugars. The foliar application of MLE increases the starch content of maize grains, resulting in a sweeter harvest. The mineral, metabolite, phytohormone and bioactive substances present in MLE make it an excellent source of nutrients. “These beneficial elements, such as photosynthesis, nutrient absorption, sink capacity, antioxidative enzymes and secondary metabolism, can modify physiological processes in plants,” Azra Yasmeen told WealthPK.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk