Biochemical and Physiological Alteration in Annual Moringa Cv. PKM-1 Leaves Impacted by Termination of Apical Growth

Abstract

A trial was conducted to assess the physiological and biochemical changes in M. oleifera (L.) Millsp. cv. PKM 1 induced by terminating apical growth by means of heading back and pinching treatments. After the new shoot emerged from heading back and pruning treatments prior to flower initiation, the contents of total phenol, soluble protein, nitrate reductase, and chlorophyll were measured. Chlorophyll, nitrate reductase, protein, and phenol content in leaves were strongly influenced by height and the point at which apical growth was stopped. Except for soluble protein, which was raised by heading back at 30 cm, the physiological and biochemical parameters were significantly affected by heading back at 70 cm combined with pinching 100 days after heading back.  Disturbing the apical growth leads to lateral branch emergence, this process delays the growth along with dry matter distribution. Accumulation of nutrients in stem and leaves enhances the nutritional quality of leaves. This simple technique may be used to exploit the nutraceutical properties of moringa Cv. PKM-1 leaves.