Application of Powdered Medicago Sativa L. Enhances Eco-Physiological Output and Protect Against Root Rot Fungi Disease in Okra and Cowpea

Medicago sativa L. is recognized for its economic value as a forage crop and can serve as an effective bio-stimulant to enhance soil fertility and plant productivity. In present study, leaf of M. sativa powdered were prepared in form of pellets and capsules and administered to the soil with different numbers (1, 3 and 5 respectively) to assess their impact on plant physiological performance and disease resistance against root rot fungi including: Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Macrophomina phaseolina. Plants treated with three number of pellets and capsules showed notable improvements in growth parameters including shoot length, shoot weight, root length, root weight, and nodule count for both okra and cowpea. Furthermore, the application of M. sativa led to significant inhibition of root rot colonization by F. oxysporum, R. solani, and M. phaseolina in okra and cowpea plants. On the contrary, plants treated with five pellets and capsules exhibited enhancements in shoot length, shoot weight, root length, root weight, and notable inhibition of root rot colonization by F. oxysporum, R. solani, and M. phaseolina in both plants. Near-infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed that the increase in 5 pellets, as opposed to capsules, led to increased levels of protein, the chlorophyll content index, and moisture compared to the three pellets. Conversely, the application of three pellets resulted in the highest ash, fat, fiber, and starch content in okra plants compared to other treatments. In conclusion, the application of three pellets proves to be an effective bio-stimulant for enhancing plant biomass, disease resistance, and overall plant performance, thereby contributing to the maintenance of food security.