Considering Leaf Extract of Miracle Tree (Moringa Oleifera L.) and Potassium Nutrition for Contending Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCuV) Disease of Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.)

Abstract

Cotton leaf curl virus disease (CLCuV) is a devastating biotic factor that imposed crop productivity a huge loss. To battle this issue this study was assessed in 2019 for the evaluation of the response of leaf extract of miracle tree (Moringa oleifera L.) and potassium (K) nutrition to mitigate the plague of CLCuV disease in cotton variety CRIS-129. Treatments have consisted of the various K dosses Viz., 0, 100, and 150 kg K2SO4 ha-1, and 3% leaf extract of moringa was sprayed at 30, 60, and 90 days after emergence. Results regarding yield components i-e boll weight (g) and seed index (g) were increased by increasing K application and foliar spray of moringa leaf extract but statistically non-significant (p<0.05). However, seed cotton yield and K contents in cotton leaves were significantly increased with all the treatments. The maximum seed cotton yield (2620 kg ha-1) was achieved with 150 kg K2O ha-1 application and it was increased by about 52% over the control treatment. In the case of incidence % of CLCuV disease, both K nutrition as well as foliar spray played a significant role and CLCuV intensity reduced with increasing rate of K doses and foliar sprays.