Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology (Nov 2024)
Assessment of the Germination Potential of Moringa oleifera Seeds Under Different Treatment Conditions
Abstract
Seed dormancy is the major concern that prevents or slowed down germination resulting in poor inhibitions and germination potential. In order to improve and promote Moringa oleifera cultivation strategies in Algeria, a country known for its extreme climatic conditions, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different pretreatment approaches to increase the seed germination percentage in a reduced time. a plant recognized for its nutritional and therapeutic benefits. Treatments included soaking in cold water for three different durations: 24, 48 and 72 hours, as well as scarification. Germinated seeds, identified by the appearance of their stems above the soil, were counted daily for 15 days at intervals of 5, 8, 10, 12, and 15 days. The result is expressed in terms of the seeds' germination rate (G%) and the speed at which the germination process is completed (time of germination). Results showed that the germination rate of M. oleifera seeds was 96.66% after 15 DAS (days after sowing), demonstrating that scarification is a successful treatment for maximizing germination potential. Seeds soaked for 72 hours showed a germination rate comparable to that of scarified seeds, reaching 83.33% by 15 days after sowing. This soaking time proved to be almost as effective as scarification. Shorter soaking times of 48 and 24 hours resulted in lower rates of 70% and 63.3%, respectively, indicating that while brief immersion in cold water stimulates germination, it remains less effective than longer soaking times. Control seeds, which received no pre-treatment, exhibited the lowest germination rate throughout the study period, culminating in a rate of 53.33% by the fifteenth DAS. These findings highlight the crucial role of pre-treatments in overcoming seed dormancy and promoting timely germination.
Keywords
