Response of Monarda citriodora L. plant to foliar spraying with extracts of moringa leaves and peels of the pomegranate

Summary Introduction: Monarda citriodora L. plant belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is a medicinal and aromatic plant, an annual herb, one of important sources of thymol compound. This plant has various purposes such as medicinal properties, food industry, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals industry, a powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Objective: There is an ongoing need to find safe, natural sources of plant nutrients. Moringa leaves and pomegranate peels extracts are being used as a secure source of natural nutrients, and natural growth regulators on the growth and productivity of plants. Applying these bio stimulants helps avoid the excessive use of industrial materials in agriculture. So, this experiment was carried out to determine the effect of both moringa leaves extract, and pomegranate peels extract as a bio regulator on the productivity of M. citriodora plant. Methods: This experiment was carried out during two seasons (2017/2018 and 2018/2019) at the Experimental Station of Adlya Farm, Sekem Company, ElSharkia Governorate, Egypt, to study the influence of some natural extracts of moringa leaves and pomegranate peels on growth, yield as well as some chemical constituents of the dry herbs, such as total carbohydrate, total flavonoids compounds, total phenolic content, NPK content and essential oil contents and its components and determination of free radical scavenging activity of M. citriodora L. plant. Results: Both extracts of moringa leaves and pomegranate peels positively affected growth, yield, and chemical constituents compared to untreated plants. Moringa leaves extract had more effect compared with pomegranate peels extract. The main essential oil constituents were thymol, p-cymene, and carvacrol compounds. Conclusion: The application of bio-stimulants of moringa leaves extract (MLE) and pomegranate peels extract (PPE) positively affect the growth and production of M. citriodora plant.