Heading Back and Pinching Affects the Biochemical and Physiological Parameters of Annual Moringa cv. PKM-1 Leaves

A trial was conducted to assess the physiological and biochemical changes in M. oleifera (L.) Millsp.cv. PKM 1 induced by heading back and pinching treatments. Chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase content, soluble protein content and total phenol content were assessed after the new shoot initiated from heading back and pruning treatments before the flower initiation. Height and stage at which the apical growth was arrested significantly influenced chlorophyll, nitrate reductase, protein and phenol content in leaves. Heading back at 70 cm combined with pinching 100 days after heading back greatly influenced the physiological and biochemical factors except for soluble protein as it was increased by heading back at 30 cm.