Evaluation of using Moringa oleifera on controlling weeds. i. Effect of leaf and seed water extracts of Moringa oleifera on broad and grassy weed associated narcissus tazetta L.
Abstract
Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of leaf and seed water extracts of Moringa oleifera at different concentrations (0, 1.25, 2.5 and 5%) on the growth and flowering of Narcissus tazetta L as well as the growth of associated weeds. This study was achieved under greenhouse conditions at the National Research Center, Egypt, in the two winter seasons of the years 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. Leaf and seeds water extract of Moringa oleifera reduced the growth of both Beta vulgaris (broad weed) and Phalaris minor (grassy weed) as compared to the control. On the other hand, fresh and dry weights of leaves of Narcissus tazetta L., bulbs as well as flowering increased significantly by leaf and seed water extract over untreated control. Growth and flowering were increased with increasing concentration of the two extracts up to 5%. This increase in the growth was accompanied by increasing in both macro and micronutrient contents as well as chlorophyll and carbohydrate contents in Narcissus tazetta leaves. Total polyphenol and flavonoids contents in water extract were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and AlCl3 method and their amount were calculated as mg gallic acid/g and mg rutin/ g dry weight respectively. The results indicated that total polyphenol contents in the leaf extract was more than two fold of its correspondence in seed extract. Flavonoids were found in leaf extract only. Results are promising for controlling weeds as well as growth enhancement of the main plants especially by leaf extract of Moringa oleifera.
