Agronomic and nutritional evaluation of Groundnut crop as affected by moringa leaf extract and zinc application

Current study was conducted to exploit the potential of zinc and moringa leaf extract for improving the growth and yield of groundnut at Attock, Pakistan. The study was laid out in RCBD two factor factorial arrangements having four replications. Plot size was 7.2 m2 All agronomic practices were carried out uniformly in all treatments throughout the study. The treatment detail is as: Factor-A; Levels of MLE (Percentage %) Ml = 0%, M2 = 10%, M3 = 20%, M4 = 30%, M5 = 40%, Factor-B; Zinc doses (Kg/ha), Z1 = 0 kgha'1, Z2 = 3 kgha'1, Z3 = 6 kgha'1, Z4 = 9 kgha'1, Z5 = 12 kgha' x. Groundnut variety Attock-2019 was sown at a spacing of 20 cm and 70cm apart. Seed rate of 25 kg ha'1 was used. Results revealed that maximum Plant height (42.6 cm), number of branches plant'1 (9.13), crop growth rate (20.4 g mN'1), chlorophyll content (0.68 mgg'1), pods plant'1 (66.6), 100 seed weight (77.8 g), total free amino acids (383) and total phenolic content (88.5) were significantly affected by foliar application of moringa leaf extract at the rate of 20% along with zinc at the rate of 12 kgha'1. It is concluded that the growth, yield, and nutritional contents of groundnut are positively affected by the combination of higher dose of zinc @12 kgha'1 and moringa leaf extract @ of 20%.