Moringa Seedlings Research Articles

Biometric and Physiological Responses to Water Restriction in Moringa oleifera Seedlings

ABSTRACT A water deficit in the soil can cause water stress in plants, triggering morphological and physiological changes. The aim of this work was evaluate the ecophysiological development of moringa seedlings under controlled water restriction. The experimental design was completely randomized at 40, 60, 80, and 100% of field capacity and six replicates. The photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, transpiration, vapor pressure deficit, internal carbon concentration, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll and stem diameter, height, and number of leaves were measured at 9 a.m. during 21 days of restriction. The treatments differed for photosynthetic parameters. Moringa seedlings reduce gas exchange to adapt to water restrictions until 40% of field capacity. The alterations promoted by water restriction did not negatively affected plant development.

Growth of moringa (Moringa oleifera) seedlings in calcareous, clayey and sandy soils relative to loamy soil

Calcareous soil, comprising more than 15% CaCO3, which imposes various physical and chemical challenges to plants, is widespread in arid and semi-arid regions. It was against the stated backdrop that an experiment was carried out to compare growth responses of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) seedlings in calcareous, clayey and sandy soils relative to those in loamy soil during autumn (January-March) 2015 and validated in 2016. Treatments comprised loamy, calcareous, clayey and sandy soils, arranged in randomised complete block design, with 15 replications. Each soil type was steam-pasteurised, with hardened-off six-week-old seedlings transplanted in 10 L plastic bags containing 9.8 L soil for each. At 90 days after transplanting, treatments had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected growth variables of M. oleifera seedlings. Relative to loam soil, calcareous soil reduced dry shoot mass (33%), chlorophyll content (36%) and dry root mass (47%), but increased root length (28%). In contrast, clay increased dry shoot mass (66%), leaf number (25%) and root length (26%), whereas sandy soil increased dry shoot mass (42%) and reduced dry root mass (51%). In conclusion, relative to loam soil, marginal soils such as calcareous, clayey and sandy soils had effects on growth of M. oleifera seedlings that included physical and chemical attributes of the soil types. Key words: Calcareous soil, marginal soil, Moringa species, soil pH, soil texture, soil type.

Utilização de macrófitas aquáticas em substrato para a produção de mudas de moringa

A utilização de macrófitas aquáticas na composição de substratos para produção de mudas de moringa constitui uma alternativa sustentável. Portanto, objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar o desenvolvimento de mudas de moringa, utilizando subtratos com macrófitas aquáticas, e determinar os teores de N, P e K nas mudas. Utilizaram-se diferentes combinações de macrófitas (M), esterco bovino (E) e terra vegetal (TV) para compor os subtratos. O experimento foi conduzido em esquema fatorial 3 × 4, em delineamento em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados: alturas das plantas, diâmetro da copa e caule, taxa relativa de crescimento em altura, em diâmetro da copa e do caule, matéria seca da parte aérea e raízes, comprimento de raízes e razão raízes/parte aérea, além dos teores de N, P e K das mudas. As mudas de moringa apresentam crescimento reduzido quando produzidas em substratos constituídos unicamente com taboa. Alface d’água e os substratos compostos por 60% M + 30% E + 10% TV e 70% M + 30% E, proporcionaram melhor nutrição e crescimento das mudas de moringa. O substrato 60M+30E+10TV composto pelo aguapé e taboa promoveram maior aporte de P para as mudas de moringa.Use of aquatic macrophytes in substrate composition to produce moringa The use of aquatic macrophytes in substrate composition to produce seedlings of moringa is a sustainable alternative. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the development of moringa seedlings using substrates composed with aquatic macrophytes, and to determine concentrations of N, P and K in the seedlings. We used different combinations of weeds (M), manure (E) and topsoil (TV) to compose the substrates. The experiment was conducted in a 3 × 4 factorial in randomized arrangement with four replications. We evaluated plant height, crown diameter and stem, relative growth rate in height, canopy diameter and in stem, dry matter of aerial part and of roots, root length and root/shoot ratio, besides the content of N, P and K in seedlings. Moringa seedlings showed reduced growth when produced in substrates composed only with cattail. Water lettuce and substrates composed of 60% M + 30%E + 10 % TV and 70% M + 30% E, promoted greater nutrition and growth of moringa seedlings. The substrate 60M +30E +10TV composed by water hyacinth and cattail resulted in greater amount of P in moringa seedlings.Index terms: Organic compound;Typha domingensis;Moringa oleifera

Identification of spider mites from Moringa oleifera using molecular techniques

Moringa oleifera plants are highly nutritious and had since attracted much attention for serving as alternative crops in marginal communities in developing countries. Generally, claims abound that moringa plants are pest-free, with ISO precluding the use of unregistered products. However, moringa seedlings are often attacked by an unidentified aggressive spider mite (Tetranychus species) under humid greenhouse conditions, resulting in outright withering of seedlings, with the potential of decimating an entire moringa orchard. Thus, molecular techniques were used to identify the spider mites on moringa to the species level in order to allow for the development of management strategies. Spider mite strains from moringa and adjacent sweet stem sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) seedlings were collected and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene used for molecular identification. DNA sequences were generated and subjected to Blastn search on the National Center for Biotechnology Information database, with the neighbour-joining method used to establish the relative closeness of the test strains to Tetranychus species. Phylogenetically, the test spider mite was, Tetranychus urticae, closely related to T. urticae strains in Lineage I, which is dominated by the Mediterranean haplotypes. The derived information would allow for the development of appropriate management strategies of this pest on moringa seedlings using various products for eventual registration.

Effects of Gliricidia Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer on Moringa Plant Grown in an Oxisol

Biochar (pyrolyzed biomass) has been shown to have potential in increasing crop yield, particularly in tropical soils. Little information, however, is available on how various biochar types affect crop yield in different soil types in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of gliricidia biochar on the growth of moringa (Moringa oleifera) plant, which offers numerous medicinal and nutritional benefits to users. A factorial pot experiment was conducted to examine the effect of gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) biochar (GB) and NPK inorganic fertilizer on the moringa plant. Biochar at five rates of 0, 22, 44, 88, and 176 g in combination with NPK 15:15:15 inorganic fertilizer at five rates of 0, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, and 2.4 g were added to 10 kg sandy soil classified as Oxisol. There was a positive but comparable effect of applying gliricidia biochar and inorganic fertilizer. Tree height, stem diameter, and dry-matter mass increased with increase in application rates of the amendments. The main effects of biochar and fertilizer on different plant parameters were significant but the effects of the interaction of biochar and fertilizer were not significant. The results established that in places where inorganic fertilizers are limited, gliricidia biochar could be applied to produce healthy moringa seedlings.

Media Effects on Emergence and Growth of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam) Seedlings in the Nursery

This study was carried out in the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka to determine the effects of different sowing media on emergence and growth of moringa ( Moringa oleifera Lam) seedlings in the nursery. The moringa seeds used for the study were collected from different parts of Nigeria; Nsukka (Eastern Nigeria), Ibadan (Western Nigeria) and Jos (Northern Nigeria). The sowing media were weathered sawdust (100%), top soil (100%), weathered sawdust plus cured poultry manure in the ratio of 2:1(volume by volume; v /v), and top soil plus cured poultry manure plus river sand in the ratio of 3:2:1(v/v/v). Perforated black polythene bags were used as potting media. The experiment was a 3 x 4 factorial trial in completely randomized design with three replications. The se eds sown in the 100% topsoil took average of 8.2

EFFECT OF K-FELDSPAR ROCK FERTILIZER ON GROWTH AND MINERAL CONTENT OF MORINGA SEEDLINGS (MORINGA OLEIFERA)

A field experiment was conducted at the Botanical Gardens Research Department Land, Hort. Res. Inst. Alex., Egypt,during 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons to study the effect of Kfeldspar rock fertilizer on growth and mineral content of Moringa seedlings. Feldspar grinded rock and potassium sulphate were used as fertilizer sources of K fertilizer to Moringa plants. Fertilizer treatments consisted of three rates of K-feldspar (0, 200, 400 g /tree) and three rates of K-sulphate (0, 100, 200 g /tree), besides six combinations prepared from K-feldspar and K-sulphate. These amounts were addedas a soil drench in two equal doses, the first one was applied immediately after planting (on April, 15th.), while the other after 3 months from the first (on July, 15th.). In addition, all Moringa seedlings received phosphate (50 g P2O5/ tree), organic manure (3kg/tree) and N (50 g / tree) at processing and preparing the soil to planting seedlings. Also, in the second season, Moringa seedlings were cultivated at the same age and height as well as the same agricultural practices as in the first one. The obtained results indicated that all treatments increased plant height and stem diameter with various significant differences compared to the control at the different determinations assessed in the two seasons. However, the superiority in the two seasons was for the combination of 200g K-F + 100g K-S, which gave the tallest plantsand widest stems, as well as K mineral content of either soil or plant. In general, connecting between K-F and K-S recorded better results than the individual application of each in most determinations registered in both seasons. Also, increasing the rate of either K-F or KS, individually or in combination caused an addition improvement in all previous characters measured in different stages of the two seasons. Moreover, treatments that involved K-feldspar gave better results in the second period of each season than that included K-sulphate alone, indicating its ability to provide plants with K+ ions for a long period. So, it can be recommended to fertilize Moringa seedlings with 200g K-feldspar grinded rock + 100g of K-sulphate for to obtain the best growth with the least cost.

Effect of Saw Dust Biochar and NPK 15:15:15 Inorganic Fertilizer on <i>Moringa oleifera</i> Seedlings Grown in an Oxisol.

A factorialexperiment was conducted in the screen house of Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria to examine the response of Moringa oleifera Lam. seedlings to saw dust biochar and NPK 15:15:15 inorganic fertilizer amendments. The plants were grown for twelve weeks in top soil (0-30cm) collected from an Oxisol in the University Research Farm. Biochar and NPK inorganic fertilizer were applied at four levels, viz 0, 5, 10 & 20 t C ha-1 and 0, 22.5, 45 & 90 kgNha-1 respectively. The results indicated that the tree species responded positively to sole application of either inorganic fertilizer or saw dust biochar. Tree height, stem diameter and dry matter yield increased, in all cases, over the non-treated control. The higher the application rate of either NPK inorganic fertilizer or saw dust biochar, the more beneficial their effects were on all the plant parameters considered except for the number of branches produced which did not appear to be affected. No significant positive correlation was established between application rates of inorganic fertilizer and tree parameters. However, rates of application of saw dust biochar were significantly and positivelycorrelated with tree height (r= 0.98*), stem diameter (r=0.99**) and dry matter yield (r=0.96*). Interaction between biochar and inorganic fertilizer was not statistically significant for tree height, stem diameter and number of branches but it was significant for dry matter yield and root: shoot ratio. The combined effects of biochar (20t Cha-1)and NPK inorganic fertilizer (90kgNha-1) resulted in the production of seedling that was superior in dry matter yield to any other seedlings produced at any biochar inorganic fertilizer combination level. Therefore, complementary use of inorganic fertilizer and saw dust biochar at the highest application level of each gave the best result in producing healthy Moringa seedlings in this study.Keyword: Biochar, Moringa oleifera, nursery, saw dust

Feasibility of growing Moringa oleifera as a mix-crop along with tomato for control of Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis in Egypt

Impact of nematicidal potential of drumstick, Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae), as a medicinal plant (1–4 plants per pot) is obtained when it is used as a mix-crop along with tomato cv. Super Strain B against Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis was evaluated under a greenhouse conditions (30 ± 5 °C) at the National Research Centre, Egypt. The nematodes final population and their rate of build-up as well as the root gall index were significantly affected by the number of moringa plants when grown with tomato together. There was a negative correlation between the number of moringa seedlings and the final population of both nematodes. The lowest nematode final population and rate of build-up were determined at the highest number of moringa plants (four plants per pot). The highest number of root gall index (4.1) was found on roots of tomato grown alone, while, the lowest one (0.6) was found on roots of tomato grown with four plants of moringa. This type of control is considered easy, inexpensive and pollution-free.

Crescimento de mudas de moringa em função da salinidade da água e da posição das sementes nos frutos

A escolha das sementes é de fundamental importância para a obtenção de mudas de qualidade, principalmente quando são produzidas sob condições ambientais adversas. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar a influencia da salinidade sobre o desenvolvimento de mudas de moringa provenientes de sementes localizadas em diferentes posições no fruto. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com os tratamentos arranjados em esquema fatorial 3 x 4 e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos resultaram da combinação de três posições de sementes no fruto (basal, mediana e apical) com quatro níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação (0,5; 2,0; 3,5; e 5,0 dS m-1). Foram avaliadas as seguintes características de crescimento: altura (ALT), diâmetro do caule (DC), diâmetro da raiz principal (DRP), número de folhas (NF), área foliar (AF), massa seca da parte aérea (MSPA), massa seca do sistema radicular (MSR) e massa seca total (MST). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância pelo teste F e as médias, comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade, para o efeito da posição da semente no fruto; e por análise de regressão, para os dados provenientes da salinidade. Houve interação significativa na maioria das características avaliadas. A salinidade da água de irrigação diminuiu em todas as variáveis. As mudas provenientes de sementes localizadas na porção basal dos frutos foram mais afetadas pela salinidade da água de irrigação.

English

  Moringa oleifera is one of the important traditional multipurpose food plants that is produced and used in many African countries. However, the production capacity is low and therefore do not meet the ever growing demand for human and animal consumption. To solve the problem, this study was initiated to assess the effect of three different soil amendments on the initial growth performance of M. oleifera seedlings. Compost, poultry manure and rice husk were the soil amendment with top soil only used as a control. The experiment was conducted at the Farming for the Future Project site in Nyankpala, Northern region. The experimental design used was completely randomized design. Daily germination record of seedlings was kept for two weeks after sowing. Also, three destructive harvesting regimes at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after germination were used to measure parameters such as stem height, stem girth, number of leaves, fresh weight and dry weight of seedlings. Generally, germination was high for all treatment especially that of the poultry manure. Analysis of variance of the various parameters during each harvesting regime showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) among soil amendments at 8 and 12 weeks after germination. There was however no significant difference among soil amendments in growth performance at 4 weeks after germination. Generally, compost performed better than the other soil amendments, while control performed the least. Sustainable production of moringa seedlings may be achieved by adopting soil amendment practices, especially the use of compost.   Key words: Moringa oleifera, multipurpose, amendments, treatment, poultry manure, compost, rice husk.

Levels of anti-oxidants in different parts of moringa (Moringa oleifera) seedling

Moringa (Moringa oleifera) tree is known as a medicinal plant, with every part of the plant edible and rich in anti-oxidants. However, there is little information on these anti-oxidants distribution in the plant; these compounds are produced at different concentrations in different parts of the plant. This research, investigated the levels of anti-oxidants in different parts of the plant. Seedlings were grown in replication, consisting of four plots, and replicated into three. Pooled plant parts were collected for analysis. There were significant differences in sugar concentration and anti-oxidant distribution in different parts of moringa seedling. The sucrose concentration was the dominant carbohydrate produced in different parts of the seedling, except glucose in plant roots. Raffinose was detected only in leaf, stem and root of the seedling. Whereas the highest anti-oxidant concentration was also recorded in: Total anti-oxidant (TAO) (1.8 mg g-1), leaf-ascorbic acid (AsA) (2.0 mg g-1), and total phenols (TP) (64.1 μg g-1); stem-TAO (1.2 mg g-1); root-carotenoids (29.7 mg g-1), TP (57.3 μg g-1); seed- α-tocopherol (28.57 μg g-1). Although the seedlings had substantial amount of total crude protein, seed (110.4 mg g-1) and leaf (76.1 mg g-1) had the highest concentrations. Different parts of moringa seedlings had different levels of sugars and anti-oxidants; this contributes to their nutritional qualities and eventually qualifies it as a suitable underutilized crop with every part being edible. The specific aims of this study were to generate analytical data on anti-oxidants concentrations in different parts of the moringa plants and identification of different parts of the plant as potential ingredients in functional food products. Key words: Anti-oxidants, carbohydrates, moringa, nutrients, protein.