RESPONSE OF Pelargonium graveolens L. HERIT PLANT TO NPK CHEMICAL FERTILIZATION AND SPRAYING WITH NATURAL LEAF EXTRACTS OF Moringa oleifera AND Aloe vera

INTRODUCTION

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L.Heirt.) belongs to family Geraniaceae. It is a high valued aromatic plant native to southern Africa. Commercially, it is grown in Egypt for production geranium essential oil (Lis-Balchin et al., 1999). Geranium oil contains mainly citronellol and geraniol and their esters (Cavar, and Maksimovi, 2012). The used plant parts are leaves and flowers; the extracted essential oil from the leaves is used in perfumery, cosmetics, aromatherapy and food industry (Aggarwal et al, 2000; Saraswathi et al, 2011). In addition, it has antimicrobial, insect repellent and antibacterial activities (Galea and Hancu, 2014).

Plant nutrition affects positively plant growth and development leading to increases in herb and essential oil production. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the most important plant nutrients. Nitrogen is incorporated in proteins molecules that build plant tissues and promotes growth and production. Phosphorus helps in transportation and to assimilation of nutrients; it is responsible for energy storage and many vital roles. Potassium is associated with retention of water, nutrients, and carbohydrates in plant. It improves plants tolerance to stresses, pests and diseases and participates in the development of flowers and seeds. Previous researches pointed out that NPK increased growth and production of many aromatic plants such as Foeniculum vulgare, and Mentha longifolia and Matricaria chamomilla (Tanious, 2008 and Hendawy and Kalid, 2011).

Plant natural extracts are one of the most important materials and frequently used as substitute to chemical fertilizers. Aloe vera leaf extract was used to improve growth of germination, Delphinum ajacis, Antirrhinum majus and Callistephus chinenis plants (Youssef, 1997). Aqueous leaf extract of Aloe vera could be useful as natural plant growth regulator, antibacterial and insecticide (Jayapal et al, 2012). Also, moringa leaf extract had a wide range of beneficial effects in many plants. It accelerates growth of plants and increases stiffness as well as resistance to pests and diseases (Foidlet al, 2001). It contains vitamins A, B, C, D and E; vital minerals of calcium and potassium; and zeatin which a cytokinin hormone (Fuglie, 2008).

Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of NPK chemical fertilization and leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera and Aloe vera on growth, and essential oil production of Pelargonium graveolens L. Herit plant, as well as evaluate to what extent can use leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera and Aloe vera as a substitute to NPK chemical fertilization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present work was carried out at the Experimental Farm of the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Department, El-Kanater EI- Khaireya, Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center during the two successive seasons of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015.

On 28^th October in both experimental seasons, cuttings of Pelargonium graveolens L. Herit (average 17.5 cm long) were secured from the same farm. Cuttings were planted in 2 x 2 m (4m²) experimental plots, each experimental unit (plot) was contained three rows; each row was 60 cm apart and 180 cm in length. Cuttings were sown in hills on row. The distances between hills were 25 cm.The chemical and physical properties of the used soil (according to Jackson, 1967) as shown in Table (A).

The experiment included 21 interaction treatments, which were the combinations between 3 levels of NPK chemical fertilization and 7 foliar spray applications of natural leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera and Aloe vera plants. The Experimental design was factorial experiment (3 X 7) in split plot design with chemical NPK fertilization as main plots and leaf extracts applications as sub plots in a complete randomized design with three replicates, each replicate contained one plot. 

The 3 levels of NPK chemical fertilizers were 0 %, 50% and 100% of the recommended dose for geranium; i.e. control, half dose and full dose. The full NPK chemical fertilizer dose was 600 kg/ fad ammonium sulphate (20.5% N), 300 kg/ fad calcium super phosphate (15.5% P₂O₅) and 150 kg/ fad potassium sulphate (48% K₂O). Control plants did not receive any NPK fertilizers. For the two experimental seasons, the former designed quantities of P fertilizer were incorporated with soil during soil preparation. While, the designed doses of N and K fertilizers were divided into four equal portions, the first portion was added on 17^th December, second portion was added on 15^th March, the third portion was added on 21^th  June (after the first cut) and the forth portion was added on 21^th July.

The seven natural leaf extracts applications included 3 concentrations of moringa leaf extract(2, 4 and 6 g moringa extract/ L) and 3 concentrations of aloe gel extract (25, 50 and 75 ml aloe gel extract/ L), beside control treatment without extract application. The designed concentrations of leaf extracts were foliar sprayed four times during the growing season, sprays were done one week after NPK additions.   

Moringa and Aloe vera extracts were prepared using the described methods of Mebusela et al. (1990) and Bashir et al. (2014), respectively. Minerals contents in moringa leaf extract and Aloe vera gel were determined at laboratories of Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Giza, Egypt, the values are presented in Tables A and B.

Aloe vera extract:

Leaves tissues of Aloe vera were cold pressed by using a stainless steel drums and the solution gel was taken into blender, and then filtrated. The obtained extract was used for foliar spray after it had been diluted proporation by adding distilled determined water (Hamouda, et al 2012). Table (B) shows some minerals of Aloe extract have been in FoodTechnology Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center.

Moringa oleifera extract:

125 g of young moringa shoots, no more than 40 days old were put in a blender with little water, ground up, then placed the ground into a clean cloth and squeezed the juice out. The extract was mixed with clean water about (3.125 litter) one g moringa equal 25 ml extract. (Gehan, et al 2014) some constituents of moringa extract have been determined in Food Technology Research Institute – Agriculture Research Center. The mineral constituents are given in Table (C). Moringa and Aloe vera extracts were prepared according to Mebusela et al (1990) and Bashir et al. (2014) respectively.

The concentration of plant extracts were used at four concentrations as follow:

-       Aloe vera extract: 0.0, 2.5% (25 ml/L), 5% (50 ml/L) and 7.5% (75 ml/L).

-       Moringa oliefera extract: 0.0, 2g/L (50 ml extract /liter), 4g/L (100 ml extract/liter) and 6g/L (150 ml extract /liter).

Recorded Data:

For both experimental seasons, plants were harvested twice; i.e., on 1^st May and 30^th September. Plant shoots were cut at 12 cm above the soil surface and the following data were recorded for each cut:

1. Fresh herb yield/ plant (g) and/ fed (ton).
2. Essential oil yield/ plant (ml) and/ fad (l).
3. Nitrogen percentage in dry herb was determined described by Page et al., (1982).
4. Protein percentage in dry herb was calculated by multiplying N% in dry herb by 6.25.

Statistical Analysis:

The obtained data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means were compared using L.S.D. at 5% according to Snedecor and Cochran (1980).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

1. Fresh herb yield per plant (g)  and per fed (ton):

The results respecting effect of NPK chemical fertilization, extracts applications of aloe and moringa leaves and their interactions on geranium fresh herb yield per plant and per faddan are recorded in Tables 1 and 2.

 It is obvious that NPK treatments showed significant effects in this respect in the two experimental seasons. Significant increases in herb yield/ plant were recorded as NPK fertilizer dose increased up to the highest fertilizer level of full dose (Table 1). This was true in the two cuts in both seasons. On the same trend, data in Table 2 revealed that the highest values of fresh herb yield/ fad (ton) in the two cuts during both seasons was recorded in plants fertilized with full NPK fertilizer dose. Similar increases in herb yield were previously reported by Munnu (2011) and Gaurav, et al. (2014) on Pelargonium graveolens L’ Herit .Also, these results agree with those published by EL-Shayeb (2009) on Oenothera biennis L.

Regarding the effect of spraying natural leaf extracts of moringa and aloe on fresh herb yield per geranium plant, data in Table 1 recorded significant increases in herb yield/ plant due to leaf extract spraying of moringa or aloe comparing to control treatment. Moringa leaf  extract

at the high concentration of 6 g/ L followed by aloe leaf extract application at 75 ml/ L resulted in the highest herb yield/ plant as compare to the all other leaf extracts treatments. Such effect was confirmed in the two cuts during the two experimental seasons. Also, herb yield/ fed (Table 2) followed the same trend as in herb yield/ plant. Since, spraying moringa leaf extract at 6 g/ L followed by aloe leaf extract at 75 ml/ L were the superior treatments in enhancing herb yield/ fad comparing to all other leaf extract applications during the two cuts of the two seasons. However, these results are in agreement with those reported by Balakum and Bahanand (2010) on senna (Cassia angustifolia var. KKM.1).

As for interaction treatments between NPK chemical fertilization and leaf extracts of moringa and aloe, data in Tables 1 and 2 reveal that all interaction treatments resulted significant increases in herb yield per plant (Table 1) and per Fadden (Table 2). Under the same NPK level, interacting any leaf extract application increased herb yield comparing to NPK fertilized plants without leaf extract spray. The highest herb yield per plant and per fed was recorded in fertilized plants with  full NPK dose and sprayed with moringa leaf extract at 6 g/L. In general, interacting half dose of NPK fertilizer with moringa leaf extract at 6 g/ L recorded significant increases in herb yield per plant and per fed as compare to fertilized plants with full NPK recommended dose without leaf extract spray. This result was true during the two experimental seasons.

From the abovementioned results, it could be conclude that all the tested fertilization treatments and all tested natural leaf extracts each alone or interacted with other significantly increased herb fresh yield of geranium plants. The combination of NPK with moringa leaf extract at the rate of 6g/ L was the most effective treatment in this respect.

1. Essential oil yield per plant (ml) and per fad (liter):

Significant effects on geranium essential oil yield production per plant and per fad were recorded under the effect of NPK chemical fertilization as shown in Tables 3 and 4. In general, as NPK fertilization level increased from zero up to 100 % of the recommended dose, oil yield per plant and per fad was increased. The highest oil yield was recorded in plants received full fertilizer dose (100% of the recommended NPK dose). This was true in both cuts during both seasons.

As for effect of spraying natural leaf extracts of moringa and aloe on geranium oil production, data of the same Table 3 revealed that spraying plants with moringa or aloe leaf extract at all tested concentrations enhanced

essential oil production per plant and per fad comparing to unsprayed control plants in both cuts of the two seasons. The most effective treatment in this aspect was spraying moringa leaf extract at 6g/ L (produced 0.99, 1.36, 0.87 and 1.37 ml essential oil/ plant for both cuts of the two seasons, respectively) followed by spraying treatment of aloe leaf extract at 75 ml/ L (resulted 0.92, 1.29, 0.82 and 1.25 ml/ plant for the first and second cuts of both seasons, respectively). On the same trend, data in Table 4 revealed that the highest values of essential oil yield/ fad in the two cuts in both seasons were found under the effect of the two above-mentioned treatments (spraying moringa leaf extract at 6 g/ L and spraying aloe extract at 75 ml/ L).    

When NPK chemical fertilization interacted with leaf extracts of moringa or aloe spraying, significant effects on oil production per plant (Table 3) were found only in second cut of the first season and in first cut during the second one. Generally, under the same NPK fertilizer dose spraying any tested leaf extract enhanced oil production/ plant as compare to fertilized plants with the same NPK dose without leaf extract spraying. The highest essential production/ plant was found in plants subjected to the interaction treatment of full NPK fertilizer dose X spraying with moringa extract at 6 g/ L. Statistically, plants received half NPK fertilizer dose and sprayed with moringa extract at 6 g/ l, in general, produced quantity of essential oil/ plant equal to or exceed that produced by plants received full NPK fertilizer dose without leaf extract application. These interaction effects on oil production/ plant were reflected on oil production/ fad (Table 4), since the same interaction treatments which increased oil production/ plant also exhibited significant increases in oil yield/ fad and this confirmed in both cuts of the two experimental seasons.

1. Chemical analysis

Means represented N % in dried pelargonium herb (Table 5) showed steady increases in N% in herb of 1^st and 2^nd cuts during the two seasons as NPK fertilizer level increased from zero, 50% up to 100% of the recommended dose.

For the main effect of foliar spray of natural leaf extracts of moringa and aloe on N % in dried herb, data of the same Table 5 show that all tested leaf extracts treatments increased N % in herb in both cuts of the two seasons comparing to unsprayed control treatment. In addition, the spray treatment of moringa leaf extract at 6 g/ L followed by the spray treatment of aloe leaf extract at 75 ml/ L recorded the highest N percentages in herb. These treatments also enhanced herb and essential oil yields per plant and per fad, as mentioned above (Tables 1, 2, 3 & 4).

Respecting effect interaction treatments between NPK fertilization and foliar spray of leaf extracts of moringa or aloe on N % in pelargonium herb, data in Table 5 clear that spraying any tested leaf extracts under any tested fertilizer level increased N % in herb as compare to the same fertilizer level without leaf extract spray. Also, NPK fertilization under any tested leaf extract application increased N % in herb comparing to the same spray application alone without fertilization. In general, the highest N percentages were found in plant herb of subjected plants to interaction treatments between full NPK fertilizer dose and spray of moringa leaf extract at 6 g/ L or spray aloe leaf extract at 75 ml/ L.   

Protein percentage in pelargonium herb significantly affected with the tested treatments of NPK fertilization, spraying leaf extracts and their interactions (Table 6). Protein % followed the same trend as the above mentioned in N % in herb. Since, all fertilization or leaf extracts treatments increased protein % in dried pelargonium herb in the two cuts of the two tested seasons. More increases in protein % were found when NPK fertilization combined with foliar spray of leaf extracts of moringa or aleo. Interaction treatments of full NPK fertilizer dose plus spray of moringa leaf extract at 6 g/ L or aloe leaf extract at 75 ml/ L were the superior treatments in increasing protein % in herb comparing to the all other interaction treatments. These findings are in agreement with results obtained by Hanafy and Saadawy (2012) on Schefflera arboricola plant; Mona (2013) on Eruca vesicaria subsp. Sativa plants.

Conclusively, it could be concluded that, growth of geranium plant was found to be positively affected by both Aloe vera and mornga extracts as well as their interactions, so biomass was stimulated with these treatments. Also, data emphasized that geranium plants produce the highest oil yield in response to the same treatments. These results could be explained as the oil yield ml/ plant was resulted from multiplication of plant fresh weight and oil percent and both of them was stimulated by these treatments.

REFERENCES

Aggarwal, K.K., A. Ahmad, T.R. Santha Kumar, N. Jain, U.K. Gupta, S. Kumar and S.P.S. Khanuja, (2000): Antimicrobial activity spectra of Pelargonium graveolensL' Herit. and Cymbopogon winterianus ,Jowitt. oil constituents and acyl derivatives. JMAPS, 22: 544-548.

Balakum, R. and K.R. Bahanand, (2010): Effect of bio stimulants on growth and yield of senna (Cassia angustifolia var. KKM.1). Journal of Horticultural Science & Ornamental Plants, 2(1): 16-18