A rise in temperature during early spring inducing early maturity is a key yield-reducing factor in late sown wheat (
Triticum
aestivum
L.).
Moringa oleifera
Lam. leaves are rich in zeatin, a cytokinin that plays a role in delaying leaf senescence, in
addition to other growth-enhancing compounds such as ascorbates, phenolics, and minerals. The objective of this study
was to optimize dose and optimum growth stage for foliar-applied moringa leaf extract (MLE) and its role in delaying leaf
senescence in late sown wheat. The wheat crop was sown on 16 December 2008; MLE (diluted 30 times) was applied at
different growth stages from tillering to heading and heading alone and distilled water was sprayed as a control. All the
MLE treatment results were better than the control. However, an increase of 10.73%, 6.00%, 10.70%, and 4.00% was
evident in 1000 grain weight, biological yield, grain yield, and harvest index, respectively, with MLE spray at tillering +
jointing + booting + heading. The MLE spray used only at heading gave 6.84%, 3.17%, 6.80%, and 3.51% more than the
control 1000 grain weight, biological yield, grain yield, and harvest index, respectively. The MLE extended seasonal leaf
area duration (Seasonal LAD) by 9.22 and 6.45 d over the control when applied at all growth stages and a single spray at
heading, respectively. We conclude that it is possible that the presence of growth-promoting substances in MLE foliar spray
can delay crop maturity and extend seasonal LAD and the grain-filling period, thereby leading to greater seed and biological
yields in late sown wheat.
