Growth potential of primed Moringa oleifera varieties under nursery and field conditions of Potohar region-Pakistan

Moringa oleifera is a fast emergent multiuse tree. It is protein rich and is used as human food, cattle fodder and medicine. Present research study was carried out to know growth and germination potential of untreated, tap water and hot water treated seeds of four varieties of Moringa oleifera in nursery and field conditions in field area of Koont research farm, Peer Mehar Ali Shah (PMAS), Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi. After treatment seeds were sown in polythene bags in nursery. Germination of seed was recorded for three weeks in laboratory as well as in nursery conditions and statistically analyzed using ANOVA techniques. Simple water, hot water and control enhanced 60%, 71.5% and 41.75% germination in this experiment. Hot water treatment has shown maximum germination percentage in all varieties i.e 80 % in Kumasi Middle Ghana, 85 % in Sunyam Middle Ghana, 62 % in Northern Ghana and 59 % in Tehiman Middle Ghana. Maximum plant height 17.12 cm was recorded in T2 followed by 14.9 cm and 10.8 in T1 and T3, respectively. In nursery conditions, T2 treated plants had maximum stem diameter which was 2.52 mm followed by T1 and T3 that was 2.1 mm and 1.8 mm, respectively. Moringa plants of T1 in field condition had maximum 4.71 mm diameter significantly greater than 3.87 mm (T2) and 3.79 mm (T1) respectively.


Introduction
Moringa oleifera, local name "Sohanjna", is a native species of India and is widely distributed in many tropical regions; Pacific region [1], West Africa [2], Central America and the Caribbean [3].It belongs to an onogeneric family (Moringaceae) of shrubs and tree, originated from Agra and Oudh, the northwest region of India, south of the Himalayan Mountains.The people of India knew its edible characterization, that's why it can be used as fodder [4]  who have increased germination percentage with pre sowing seed treated.

Field experiment Plant Height
In figure 4 illustrates variation in plant height with seed treatments.Maximum plant height was (17.12 cm) recorded in T2 that was significantly higher than 14.9 cm and 10.8 in T1 and T3, respectively in lab while 23.94 cm long plants were found in T1 that was literally at par with 21.9 and 21.15 cm in T2 and T3 respectively.The reason of more plant height in field is explained by [8, 10] relating more moisture, nutrients availability due to field system and availability of organic carbon.

Number of leaves
In figure 5 shows the data recorded for effects of different seed treatments on number of leaves of plant.Simple water treated plants have maximum number of Moringa leaves 52 followed by 46 that was followed by 33 leaves in nursery.In field conditions, the leaf count of T1 was 301 leaves and then followed by 224 leaves, while T3 plants produced 172 leaves after two months of growth.This data also shows that maximum number of leaves (301) were reported in field conditions while minimum number of leaves (33) at nursery level.Seed soaking helps in germination and root extension in fields helps plant to uptake more nutrients [10, 15] that ultimately result in production of more leaves in Moringa oleifera.

Diameter
Different treatments effect on mean diameter of Moringa oleifera plant is shown in figure 6. Different treatments gave statistically different stem diameter plants in nursery and field conditions at 5% significance level.In nursery conditions, T2 yielded 2.52 mm diameter followed by 2.1 mm T1 and T3 1.8 mm.In field conditions, T1 produced maximum diameter of 4.71 mm that was significantly higher than T2 and T3 which gave diameter of 3.87 mm and 3.79 mm respectively.Environmental conditions, soil conditions, nutrients availability in field is main cause of increase in plant girth in field condition [8, 10].

Figure 5 .Figure 6 .
Figure 5. Number of leaves of Moringa oleifera in different treatments

9].
Moringa oleifera can grow naturally at an elevation up to 1,000 m above sea level.It can grow well on hillsides but is more frequently found growing on pastureland or in river basins.It is drought resistant and fast growing (5 -7 m) in one year in arid areas [4].Moringa oleifera is a multipurpose tree.It has medicinal value and use as a food and fodder for cattle.Oil and curry powder is extracted from seeds of Moringa oleifera.Seeds of Moringa oleifera are also used for cleaning of water.In many regions of the world like in Vietnam, Moringa oleifera leaves are used for food [8].Moringa foliage is known for its rich protein source, low antinutritional factors [7].For goat production, the use of grasses as a source of protein is not appropriate because most of the grasses are low in protein.Therefore, Moringa oleifera foliage is a cheap protein source [

[13, 14].
Area selected for field experiment was research field of Forestry Department at Koont Research Farm, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, situated at Mandra Chakwal Road.It is representative of rainfed areas of Potohar tract.Elevation of the farm is up to 1200 feet.Mean annual rainfall ranges from 450-550 mm.
These results have close junction with [13],