Effect of leaching time and seed position on the germination and vegetative characteristics of Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori

Introduction: Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori seeds have good health promoting properties and considerable potential as a biofuel. However, cultivation is limited by variable seed quality. Objective: To study the effect of seed position in the pod and leaching treatment on germination and vegetative characteristics of seedlings. Materials and methods: The seeds numbered 1 to 6 (the position near the attached part to stem was No. 1). To study the effect of leaching on germination and the vegetative characteristics, seeds were exposed to running water for 0, 24 and 48 h. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design as a factorial arrangement. Results and discussion: The position of the seed had a significant effect (P ≤ 0.05) on the variables, except for root fresh and dry weight and number of leaves; germination was higher for seeds in the middle position of the pod, which were also the heaviest (c. 0.73 g). There was a significant interaction between seed position and leaching, except for collar diameter and stem height. Leaching for 48 h increased germination to 88 %. This treatment produced the highest number of leaves (16.82) and the highest values for collar diameter (3.50 mm), dry weight of leaves (0.11 g), stem (0.08 g) and root (0.50 g), and root length (10.10 cm). The interaction of position and leaching was significant. Conclusions: The overall germination performance and seedling growth can be improved by immersing seeds from the middle pod position in leaching treatment for 48 h.