SEED PHYSICAL SCARIFICATION AND GROWING MEDIA ON VIGOR OF Moringa oleifera

Abstract

This experiment was aimed to reveal the effect of seed physical scarification and various growing media
on vigor of Moringa oleifera. This study was conducted in greenhouse and consisted of two phases of
experiment; first was studied the effect of physical scarification on seed germination of M. oleifera and the
second was studied the effect of seed physical scarification and various sub optimum growing media on
vigor of M. oleifera. The germination test was arranged in randomized completely design with 4 treatments
that were P0 = non scarification, P1 = one side scarification, P2 = two sides scarification, and P3 = full side
scarification. The variables measured were germination percentage (%) and seedling dry weight (g/plant).
The second study was arranged in a factorial randomized completely design with the four treatments of
scarification (P0, P1, P2 and P3) over six growing media (sands, bricks, bricks and sands mixture, bricks
and soils mixture, soils and sands mixture, and soils). The variables observed were petioles number, plant
height (cm/plant), and plant dry weight (g/plant). The scarification was significantly affect (P<0.05) the
germination percentage and seedling dry weight. Scarification and growing media also affected the vigor
of M. oleifera significantly (P<0.05). Two side seed scarification improve the germination and seedling dry
weight instead of control. Combination of scarification in two sides and growing media of soils and sands
mixture given the highest vigor of M. oleifera reflected on petioles number, plant height, and plant dry weight.
Keywords: germination, M. oleifera, scarification, sub optimum media, vigor