TITLE:
Germination Response and Early Growth of Tropical and Temperate Legumes to Four Plant Extracts: A Comparative Analysis of the Efficacy of Moringa oleifera, Kalanchoe pinnata, Azadirachta indica and Ocimum gratissimum
AUTHORS:
Adjoua Estelle Konan, N’Doua Bertrand Guinagui, Oumar Silué, Seydou Tuo
KEYWORDS:
Biostimulants, Initial Vigor, Phytopathogens, Leaf Extract
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.17 No.9,
September
9,
2026
ABSTRACT: Plant-based biostimulants are a viable alternative for improving the physiological quality and germination of seeds, combating plant pathogens, and producing food in sufficient quantity and quality whilst reducing the use of fertilisers and plant protection products. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of four leaf extracts as biostimulants for the germination of legume seeds. The methodological approach involved cultivating the seeds in Petri dishes with the various leaf extracts. The results showed that the leaf extracts from Kalanchoe pinnata performed better than all the other extracts. The germination rates observed were 96 per cent for peas, 90 per cent for lentils and soya beans, and 80 per cent for groundnuts. It also promoted the elongation of the hypocotyl and epicotyl and an increase in the number of roots. Ocimum gratissimum induced the highest germination rate in soya beans, at 100 per cent, whilst leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica recorded the lowest performance rates: 90 per cent for peas, 40 per cent for lentils, 83 per cent for soya beans and 26 per cent for groundnuts. Leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum performed better than those of Moringa oleifera. Leaf extracts of Kalanchoe pinnata and Ocimum gratissimum can be used as biofertilisers to improve the initial vigour of legumes.