Phytopriming of Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper (Blackgram) Seeds using Aqueous Extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam, Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp and Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre Improves Seedling Emergence, Growth and Yield

Background: Phytopriming can enhance seed germination and seedling emergence. Seeds when primed with plant leaf extracts result in better establishment and growth of field crops. Methods: This study examines the potential of leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam, Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp and Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre on the growth and yield of black gram through seed hydropriming. Result: Pot studies revealed a 10% increase in shoot length and 3% increase in fresh weight upon priming with P. pinnata (L.) Pierre leaf extract in comparison to liquid fertilizer treatment. Also, 6% increase in root nodule formation was observed in G. sepium (Jacq.) Walp and P. pinnata (L.) Pierre treated plants. Testing the biochemical parameters revealed a 20% increase in total phenolics, 12% increase in total carbohydrates and 64% increase in chlorophyll pigment in the case of P. pinnata (L.) Pierre leaf extract treated group. The data presented shows that a 4% M. oleifera Lam leaf extract, 10% G. sepium (Jacq.) Walp, or 4% P. pinnata (L.) Pierre leaf extract can be used for improving seedling emergence, plant growth and yield. Among the three, the best overall growth and yield can be obtained by using a 4% P. pinnata (L.) Pierre leaf extract as a seed priming agent.