T. S. Hoque
Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh- 2202, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
I. Jahan
Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh- 2202, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
G. Ferdous
Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh- 2202, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
M. A. Abedin
Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh- 2202, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
Moringa leaf extract, Brinjal, Growth, Yield, Nutrient content, Uptake
Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh.
Crop-Soil-Water Management
The experiment was carried out at the Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh. The geographical location of the research field is 24075′ N latitude and 90050′E longitude at an elevation of 18 m above sea level. The soil belongs to the Sonatala series of Non-Calcareous Dark Grey Floodplain Soils of Old Brahmaputra Floodplain (AEZ-9). The land is moderately well-drained and sufficient sunshine is available through the experimental period. The soil was silt loam in texture with pH 6.48, organic matter content 1.93%, total N 0.132%, available P 7.08 ppm, exchangeable K 0.067 me%, available S 11.83 ppm and cation exchange capacity 11.7 meq/100g soil. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and four treatments. The four treatment combinations were T1 Foliar spray with water (control), T2 (MLE foliar spray at 2 weeks after transplanting), T3 (MLE foliar spray at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after transplanting) and T4 (MLE foliar spray at 2 weeks after transplanting and after every two weeks thereafter). The experimental area was divided into three blocks representing the replication and each block was subdivided into four unit plots where the four treatments were distributed randomly. The total number of plots was 12. The unit plot size was 2.5 m × 2 m. The spacing between blocks was 1.25 m and the plots were separated from each other by a space of 0.25 m. Seedling transplanting- Brinjal (hybrid variety named BARI Begun-8) was used as a test crop in this experiment. About 35-days-old brinjal seedlings were transplanted in the experimental plots on the 25th of October 2018. The seedlings were uprooted from the seedbed carefully to avoid damage of the root system and transplanted in the afternoon followed by light irrigation for their better establishment. The line to line and plant to plant distance were 60 cm and 50 cm respectively. During the daytime, banana leaf sheath were used to provide shade to protect young seedlings from scorching sunlight up to 5 days until their establishment in the soil and kept open at night for allowing them to receive dew. On the border of the experimental plots, a number of extra seedlings were also planted for gap filling. Fertilizer application- The full amount of triple superphosphate (TSP), muriate of potash (MoP), gypsum and zinc oxide were added during final land preparation as basal dose at the rate of 23, 46, 5 and 2 kg ha-1, respectively according to the Fertilizer Recommendation Guide (FRG, 2012). Urea was applied in three installments as a top dressing and the rate was 135 kg ha-1. The first split was applied at 15 days after transplanting (DAT) while the second and third split was applied at 30 and 45 DAT, respectively. Collection of moringa leaves and preparation of MLE Young leaves of moringa trees were collected from different places of Bangladesh Agricultural University Campus, Mymensingh. For the preparation of MLE, about 100 g young leaves were taken into a mortar with a pinch of water (10 ml/100 g fresh material) and ground with a pestle. The juice was extracted by hand pressure and filtered through a cheesecloth. The collected extract was re-filtered using Whatman filter paper No. 2. The extract was diluted with distilled water at a ratio of 1:30 (v/v) and then sprayed directly on the brinjal plants as described by Fuglie (2000). The freshly prepared extract was then stored at 0ºC temperature and only taken out when needed for use. Application of MLE in the field- The prepared MLE was sprayed @ 25 mL plant-1 as per treatments using a hand sprayer in the late afternoon. Special attention was given to complete coverage of brinjal plants with spray materials and to avoid drifting of spray materials from one plot to another. Intercultural operations- The transplanted seedlings were watered by a watering can every morning and afternoon for a week after transplanting for their rapid and well-established. Flood irrigation was also given in the field at 31 DAT and 46 DAT. The other intercultural operations such as gap filling, weeding, fencing and pesticide application were done as and when necessary. Crop harvesting and data collection- As fruit initiation and maturation in plants were not similar, the harvesting of the crop was not possible on a particular date. The crop was harvested at full maturity for the first time on 20 March 2019 and lasted on 31 March 2019. During harvesting, every plant was uprooted by hand. Data on growth and yield parameters such as plant height, root length, dry weight of root, shoot length, no. of branch plant-1, fresh and dry weight of shoot, a number of leaves, flower and fruits, fresh weight of fruits, weight, length and diameter of the largest fruit, fruit weight plant-1 and fruit yield ha-1 were recorded at the time of harvesting. Preparation and analysis of plant samples- The leaf and fruit samples of brinjal were dried in an oven at 65° C temperature for about 48 hours and then ground by a grinding machine to pass through a 20-mesh sieve. The ground plant samples were collected in paper bags separately, placed in a desiccator and analyzed for the determination of macronutrient contents (N, P, K and S). The N, P, K and S contents were determined following semi-micro Kjeldahl method, modified Olsen method, NH4OAc extraction method and CaCl2 extraction method, respectively. After chemical analysis of plant samples, the nutrient uptake was calculated from the nutrient content and yield of the crop. Statistical analysis-The recorded data on different parameters were statistically analyzed to get the level of significance using the MSTAT– Computer package program. The differences among treatment means were compared by Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a 5% level of probability (Gomez and Gomez, 1984).
Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment-Vol 1 No 4 December 2020 Pages 94-99
Journal