Effect of foliar aqueous extract of moringa in the initial acclimatization phase of pineapple

Abstract

Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves have several chemical constituents such as: amino acids, mineral ions, ascorbate, phytohormones and secondary metabolites. Consequently, these extracts can be used to improve growth in other plants. In addition, it is awarded antimicrobial activity against pathogens of agricultural interest. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract obtained from moringa leaves on the morphological changes of the Ananas comosus var. comosus ‘MD-2’ plant in the initial stage of acclimatization. It was evaluated the effect of the concentration (dilutions of 1:4 and 1:8) and the immersion time (0, 24, 48 and 72 hours) in the aqueous extract of moringa previous to the acclimatization of pineapple seedlings. The aqueous extract of moringa and Previcur^® Energy LS 84 was compared in the acclimatization of pineapple seedlings. It was achieved 100 % survival with the immersion of the pineapple seedlings for 24 and 48 hours in aqueous extract diluted 1:4 and for 72 hours in aqueous extract diluted 1:8. Morphological indicators were higher with the immersion of pineapple seedlings for 72 hours in aqueous extract diluted 1:8, after 42 days in acclimatization. Significant differences weren’t observed in morphological indicators for treated plants only with Previcur^® Energy LS 84 and aqueous extract diluted 1:8. In these treatments weren’t observed visible symptoms of diseases.