Comparative performance of Moringa oleifera and Moringa ovalifolia seeds and seedlings establishment in central Namibia

Abstract

Trees and shrubs can serve as fodder to supplement shortage of feeds for livestock particularly in arid and semi-arid environments where palatable grasses or browse plants could be limited due to low rainfall pattern and constant droughts. However, in Namibia Moringa tree species show the potential to curb shortage of feeds in livestock. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used in this study to compare the performance of M. ovalifolia and M. oleifera seed germination and seedlings establishment. Seeds of Moringa spp. were sown in nursery in 253 polythene bags (149 for M. oleifera and 104 for M. ovalifolia) at uniform sowing depths. The parameters measured were germination rate and seedling growth rates. The results in the study show that M. ovalifolia had higher seed germination rate compared to M. oleifera. Also, M. ovalifolia germinated faster than M. oleifera. Conversely, M. oleifera had faster seedlings establishment compared to M. ovalifolia which had slower growth rate over time. ANOVA result revealed that M. oleifera and M. ovalifolia mean germination rates and germination days were significantly different (p < 0.05), which indicated that the two Moringa spp. germinated at different rates and days. Furthermore, both Moringa spp. growth rates (heights) per week were significantly different (p < 0.05). Therefore, from the results, the null hypotheses (Ho) that both Moringa spp. were not different in germination and growth rates were rejected.

Keywords: Germination rates, growth rates, Moringa oleifera, Moringa ovalifolia, nursery.