Comparative Study of Propagation Methods on the Early Growth Rate of Moringa Oleifera (Lam.)

Abstract

This study examined the best propagating method for Moringa oleifera (Lam.). This was conducted at the Department of Forestry and Natural Environmental Management arboretum, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Seeds and stem cuttings of the species were collected from a mother tree located at Obio Ibiono and sown in polythene bags filled with soil from the arboretum and watered twice daily throughout the study period. Daily germination of the seedlings was recorded for fourteen (14) days. The early growth rate was assessed three (3) months after sowing using height, number of leaflets and stem collar diameter as parameters. Data collected were analyzed using t- test at 5% probability level. Results revealed that seeds of Moringa oleifera (Lam.) germinated faster than sprouting from stem cuttings and seedlings raised by seed had mean height (43.92cm), mean leaflets number (69.6) and mean steam collar diameter (0.54 cm) that where higher than those produced by stem cutting, thus indicating that seedlings produced by seeds have a faster early growth rate than seedlings produced by stem cuttings.