RECYCLED CEREAL PROTEINS AS FOLIAR SPRAY ENHANCES QUALITY AND PRODUCTION OF FOOD CROPS

The farm scale spray trials were conducted to explore the applicabilit y of cereal proteins hydrolysate (CPH) for the qualitative improvement /quantitative yield of moong bean ( Vigna radiata), rice (Oryza sativa ) and wheat (Triticum aestivum). The yields with water sprayed crops s erved as the control vis-a-vis CPH and plant growth regular (PGR-A) sp ray as experiments 1 and 2, respectively. The CPH spray afforded 25% i ncreased production of moong-bean vis-a-vis PGR-A, and the control, be sides improving its germination viability and sweetness. The rice yiel d by the CPH, PGR-A and control sprays were comparable; however, CPH a nd PGR-A afforded 17% higher protein content compared with control. Th e CPH and PGR-A sprays increased wheat production over control by 19 a nd 9%, respectively, besides promoting its germination viability and w ater extractables. The turgidity and higher weight of leaves per unit area in CPH sprayed plants suggested retarded rate of water evaporatio n and improved drought-resistance. In totality, these results confirme d that recycling of cereal proteins as foliar spray enhanced the quali ty and productivity of food crops.