GROWTH REGULATORY ACTIVITIES OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF BARK AND STEM OF DRUMSTICK PLANT ON SUMMER VEGETABLES WITH CHEMICAL STUDY

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to check the growth regulatory activities of aqueous extracts of the stem and bark of drumstick plant (Moringa oleifera) on five varieties of summer vegetable seeds namely, Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), Ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus), wax gourd (Benincasa hispida) cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata), with the attempt for chemical investigation on effective plant extract. The aqueous extract of stem and bark of drum stick plant significantly increased and enhanced germination, growth of shoot and root length of bitter gourd, cucumber and yard long bean seeds compared with control whereas bark reduced and delayed germination, growth of shoot and root length. The aqueous extract of stem and bark of drumstick plant had the stimulating effect on germination by 20, 5.50, 23.50, and 24%. The highest shoot length were 12.03, 0.00, 15.92, 0.00 and 29.15 cm, and root length were 5.82, 5.48, 11.74, 0.00 and 13.92 cm, for bitter gourd, ladies finger, cucumber, wax gourd and yard long bean seedlings respectively due to some growth regulatory or other bio-active substances. Chemical investigation of aqueous extract of stem and bark of drumstick plant was in progress, which will be reported in due course.