COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF PRESOAKING MORINGA SPP (MORINGA OLIEFERA AND MORINGA STENOPETALA)

ABSTRACT Moringa is multipurpose tree seed used for remedy to problems related to food security shortage of animals forages and soil degradation. Proper husbandry of this crop contingent on the use of seeding of good quality. This study aimed to determine the optimum soaking period of moringa and the response of varieties with treatment and most virorous variety in the study area. The treatment considered of different soaking periods 0hrs. 6hrs, 12hrs and 24hrs respectively and two varieties of Moringa stenopetala and Moringa oliefera). Arranged in complete randomized design (CRD) and replicated three (3) times. Observation were made on (Initial germination. 50% germination, plant height, number branches, number of leaves, number of roots, root length, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight, whole plant fresh weigh and whole plant dry weight, at 3rd, 6th, and 9th weeks after sowing. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA). Result revealed that presoaked seed soaked for 12hrs measured were significantly affected to Moringa stenopetala which had highest number of leaves (133.56) plant height (12.75cm), Number of branches (11.25), initial germination (5.21), number root (139.50), root length (11.8cm), fresh root weight (8.72kg, root dry weight (2.50kg), shoot fresh weight (4.85), shoot dry weight (1.95kg), whole plant fresh weight (11.84kg) and whole plant dry weight (6.80kg) respectively. From the finding of the experiment, it is therefore, recommended that Moringa stenopetala had highest germination vigors soaked for the period of 12hrs in the study area.