International Journal of Plant Science and Ecology

Vol. 1, No. 4, 2015, pp. 142-148

http://www.aiscience.org/journal/ijpse

Growth Performance of Moringa oleifera Planting

Materials Derived from Cuttings and Seeds
Jane Wambui Kiragu1, *, Patrick Mathenge2, Eliud Kireger3
1

School of Natural Resource Management, Department of Forestry and Wood Science, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya
School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Department of Seed Science, Karatina University, Karatina, Kenya
3
Tea Research Foundation of Kenya, Kericho, Kenya
2

Abstract
The worldwide interest in herbal medicine is putting intense pressure on tropical biodiversity as increasing numbers of plant
species are harvested for their medicinal properties. This has led to the forest policy laying more emphasis on the need to move
from reforestation of gazetted forests to afforestation of community and farm forests. However, the afforestation program
depends to a large extent on the rate of germination of seeds. Moringa oleifera one of the key medicinal plants highly affected
by germination conditions. Unfortunately, there is no published data on its seedling Eco-physiology (regeneration both natural
and artificial) or the species exploitation rates in Kenya. Moringa seeds, when sown in the seedbed germinate readily, but after
emergence, they start dying, with very few or none reaching field planting stage i.e. 30 cm. This has led to the Moringa
population remaining low. Therefore, this study aimed to establish the difference in growth performance of Moringa oleifera
planting materials derived from cuttings and seeds. The study was carried out at the tree nursery at University of Eldoret that is
situated in Uasin Gishu County of Kenya. Moringa oleifera seeds and cuttings were collected from 30 phenotypically better
looking healthy trees in Marigat, Baringo County. The seeds and the cuttings were planted under two different conditions
(greenhouse and normal/outside) and different watering frequencies. The results show that upbringing of Moringa oleifera
through use of seeds had better performance than use of cuttings, both in the greenhouse and outside. In addition, cuttings of
all diameter classes studied planted outside did not sprout. In the greenhouse, those in diameter class 1 and those only watered
twice a day had 5.8 % survival at the end of the experiment. In diameter class 2, survival ranged from 5 % to 35 % and
diameter class 3, survival ranged from 5 % to 15 % at the end of the experiment. The watering frequency used did not show
any significant difference in the growth and survival of the seedlings. The mean height and mean root collar diameter of the
seedlings in the greenhouse and outside did not show significant differences in their growth, when subjected to similar
treatments. The study recommends that Moringa oleifera planting material should be done in the green house as faster growth
and better results are realized. In addition, propagation through seed is still the better alternative for Moringa oleifera species.
Keywords
Moringa olifera, Propagation, Growth Performance
Received: April 9, 2015 / Accepted: May 3, 2015 / Published online: May 27, 2015
@ 2015 The Authors. Published by American Institute of Science. This Open Access article is under the CC BY-NC license.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

1. Introduction
The worldwide interest in herbal medicine is putting intense
pressure on tropical biodiversity as increasing numbers of
plant species are harvested for their medicinal properties

(Lewis, 2003). Moringa oleifera is one of these important but

endangered medicinal trees (Khan, Dular& Solomon, 2003).
This has led to the forest policy laying more emphasis on the
need to move from reforestation of gazetted forests to
afforestation of community and farm forests (Lund, 2006).
This is important in order to meet the needs of the fast

* Corresponding author
Email address: [email protected] (J. W. Kiragu), [email protected] (P. Mathenge), [email protected] (E. Kireger)

International Journal of Plant Science and Ecology Vol. 1, No. 4, 2015, pp. 142-148

growing population in terms of forest products, fodder for

animals and other requirements such as soil and water
conservation, food, medicine, shade and improvement of soil
fertility among others.
Emphasis has to be put on farms through Agroforestry
practices and on community lands as woodlots, scattered
trees along road reserves, schools grounds etc. The
afforestation program depends to a large extent on the rate of
germination of seeds, which is the most commonly used
method of regeneration (Ramachandra&Thapliyal, 1995).
Mature seeds of some tree species readily germinate under
favorable conditions of moisture and temperature (Baskin,
2001). This results in uniform germination in large quantities,
which can meet the requirements of afforestation. Other
seeds do not germinate until dormancy is broken through
seed pretreatment methods (Baskin& Baskin, 2004) while
other seeds, like Moringa will germinate but not establish
itself to maturity (Muhl, 2009). This could be due to low
seedling vigor, unfavorable environmental conditions, such
as moisture, post-emergence infestation by pests or infection
by pathogens or lack of viable seeds due to poor storage
(Desai, 2004). This affects reforestation in that less seedlings
will be available for planting at a given planting time.
Moringa oleifera one of the key medicinal plants highly
affected by germination/growth conditions (Muhl, 2009). It is
native to India, Arabia and naturalized in Tropical Africa
(Anwar, Latif, Ashraf,& Gilani, 2007). In Kenya, its found
mainly in the Northern regions including Wajir, Garissa, Taita
and Moyale counties (Tsaknis, Lalas, Gergis, Dourtoglou &
Spiliotis, 1999). The tree is only found in patches and does
not seem to regenerate itself in those areas. This could be due
to fungal infections, pests infestation, over exploitation due
to its many uses by the local people and their livestock or due
to lack of an alternative tree species which could meet the
needs of the people.

143

will be a major issue since the sustainability of harvesting

Moringa is of concern, particularly with continued selective
exploitation of the species. Conservation issues associated
with Moringa collection in Kenya are that it has very high
post germination mortality (sometimes 100%) (Phiri &
Mbewe, 2010).
Unfortunately, there is no published data on its seedling Ecophysiology (regeneration both natural and artificial) or the
species exploitation rates in Kenya. Moringa seeds, when
sown in the seedbed germinate readily, but after emergence,
they start dying, with very few or none reaching field
planting stage i.e. 30 cm (Baskin, 2001; Anwar et al., 2007).
This has led to the Moringa population remaining low.
Successful afforestation requires, among others, a high
percentage rate of germination in the nursery. Moringa is
normally grown easily from seeds or cuttings. Seeds are
planted 2 cm deep and germinate within 1-2 weeks.
Germination rates are usually very good, as found out in
India, but survival can drop to 0 % after two weeks (Price,
2000). An alternative method of propagation through cuttings
(vegetative propagation) has not been tried in order to
determine whether it is a better alternative to seed
propagation. Therefore, this study aimed to establish the
difference in growth performance of moringa oleifera
planting materials derived from cuttings and seeds.

2. Materials and Methods

The study was carried out at the tree nursery at University of
Eldoret that is situated in Uasin Gishu County of Kenya. The
area is approximately 1950 m above sea level and has a mean
annual temperature of 14 - 16C (Maxon & Ofcansky, 2014).
The area receives annual rainfall in the range of 900-1110
mm. The soil is of igneous origin and acidic (pH 4.5-5.0),
with low fertility and moisture storage. It is classified as
rhodic ferralsol classification and oxisols classification
(Osundwa et al., 2013).

Moringa is a multipurpose tree (MPT).It is used as a

vegetable, medicine, for fodder and its gum is used in textile
industries (Paliwal& Sharma, 2011). The bark is used for
rope and mat making, wood used for pulp and paper, and
seeds yield a clear odourless oil, to the extent of 22 %- 38.5 %
(Fuglie, 2005), which is an excellent salad oil. Moringa
oleifera is not only a source of medicine for patients, but also
an important source of income for local and national
economies.

Moringa oleifera seeds and cuttings were collected from 30

phenotypically better looking healthy trees in Marigat,
Baringo County. The seeds were collected when the pods had
turned brown in colour. Seeds were picked at random for
sowing. The cuttings were also obtained from the 30 trees.

Even with all these uses,Moringa has only recently been

introduced in the highlands as an Agro forestry tree species in
a very limited scale; hence its population in Kenya has
remained low. It is expected that with the growing confidence
in natural medicines, the market for Moringa oleifera
remedies could double or triple in the next few years. This

Coppice spouts of three diameter classes (5 mm-10 mm, 14

mm-16 mm, 17 mm-20 mm) from 30 superior trees that were
just beginning to harden, were cut and kept constantly moist.
The cuttings were inserted in the rooting hormone, (Anatone
3, a synthetic Auxin) which contains 33 % Alpha
Naphthalene Acetic Acid (ANAA), to accelerate their rooting
and placed in a polythene tube with soil. The tubes were

2.1. Vegetative Propagation

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Jane Wambui Kiragu et al.: Growth Performance of Moringa oleifera Planting Materials Derived from Cuttings and Seeds

placed under a greenhouse and normal field conditions in the

nursery. Two temperatures regimes (normal condition (1416 C) and green house (18-20 C) were used.Three watering
regimes (twice a day, once a day, once on alternative days)
were also adopted. An insecticide was used to control pests at
the beginning of the experiments in the soil medium and
again after clones sprouted. The treatments were replicated
three times.
Six (6) cuttings were used per experimental unit. A total of
648 cuttings were used, 324 in the greenhouse and 324 under
normal field conditions. For all treatments, forest soil was
used in 15 cm diameter polythene tubes where each cutting
was planted. Observations were done at 8 am daily and any
sprouting of the cuttings was recorded. This continued for six
months. Weeding was done to ensure no competition for
water and nutrients was subjected to the cuttings. In the
control no hormone or insecticide was used throughout the
experiment. This was to try and find out whether this was the
cause of the clones death.For each treatment, the number of
successfully sprouted cuttings was recorded and calculated as
a percentage of the total. The best treatment was assessed on
the basis of clones survival at the end of the experiment.
2.2. Seed Propagation
Seeds were picked at random and two seeds sown directly on
individual containers (polythene tubes 15 cm diameter), in a
medium of forest soil. The sown seeds were placed in the
greenhouse and others under normal field conditions, two
temperature regimes (greenhouse (18-20 C) normal field
temperature (14-16 C), three watering regimes (twice a day,
once a day, and once on alternative days). An insecticide was
also used to control any insect infestation.
Six (6) seeds per treatment were used and replicated three
times. A total of 216 seeds, 108 in green house (36 for each
watering regime) and 216 under normal field conditions (36
for each watering regime) were used. Daily observations
were made to note commencement of germination. After the
first germination was noted, the experiment was left for 14
days, before seedling heights and root collar diameters of

each seedling were measured on weekly basis. This was to

give all seeds time to germinate. For the polythene tubes
where both seeds germinated one seedling was removed and
only one seedling was left in each polythene tube. The height
was measured using a meter rule where the measurement was
taken from the base of the stem to the tip of the shoot. The
root collar diameter was measured using a veneer calipers at
the base of the stem. The mean height and mean root collar
diameter for each week was calculated. This was done for all
the seedlings during the experiment.
The best treatment was assessed on the basis of the growth
performance of seedling in terms of seedling height and root
collar diameter.
2.3. Data Analysis
All data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) to
quantify the differences between applied treatments.
Treatment means were separated using the least significance
differences (LSD) at 0.05. Excel and SAS computer packages
and Duncans multiple range test was used.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Growth Performance Under
Greenhouse Conditions
3.1.1. Seedling Height
There were no significant differences in seedling height
growth in the greenhouse and their controls.Height growth
for all treatments showed a steady increase throughout the
experiment. The 30 cm height recommended for field
planting, was attained within the 11th -13th week, after start of
data collection i.e. 14th -16th week after sowing.
The mean height growth, when comparing all the three
treatments (treatment one- watering twice a day; treatment
two-watering once a day; treatment three-watering once on
alternative days), showed that it was highest in treatment 1
and lowest in treatment 2. The difference between the
treatments was, however not significant. (Figure 1)

Figure 1. Mean Height Growth for the 3 Three Treatments.

International Journal of Plant Science and Ecology Vol. 1, No. 4, 2015, pp. 142-148

Figure 1 seedlings planted in the greenhouse, the mean height

growth was highest for treatment 1, followed by treatment 3
and then treatment 2.
Since computed value of F = 1.07 with p-value = 0.347 >
0.05, it is concluded that these differences were not
significant at 5 % level of significance.
Using the Duncans multiple range test to separate the means,
it was found that:
Between Treatments 1 and 2, computed P - Value =
0.1729 > 0.05, implying that there was no significant
difference between the two means at 5 % level of
significance.
Between Treatments 1 and 3, computed P - Value =
0.8017 > 0.05, implying that there was no significant
difference between the two means at 5 % level of

145

significance.
Between Treatments 2 and 3, computed P - Value =
0.2646 > 0.05, implying that there was no significant
difference between the two means at 5 % level of
significance.
3.1.2. Root Collar Diameter
Root collar diameter growth increased steadily throughout
the experiment for treatment 2 and 3, but had a high increase
in treatment 1 from the 23rd week, while its control
continued its increase uniformly. There were however no
significant difference in all the treatments and their controls.
When the mean collar diameters for all treatments were
compared, treatment 1 showed higher difference. This was
due the high increase experienced from the 23rd week due to
the high temperatures, 22-24 C, experienced that week.

Figure 2. Mean Diameter Growth for the 3 Treatments.

Figure 3. Seedling Height for the 3 Treatments under Normal Conditions.

Figure 2 seedlings planted in the greenhouse, the mean

diameter growth was highest for treatment 1 and was almost
the same for treatments 2 and 3.
Since computed value of F = 3.03 with P - value = 0.0546 >
0.05, it is concluded that these differences were not
significant at 5 % level of significance.

Using the Duncans multiple range test to separate the means,

Between Treatments 1 and 2, computed P - Value = 0.0246
< 0.05, implying that there was a significant difference
between the two means at 5 % level of significance.
Between Treatments 1 and 3, computed P - Value =
0.0593 > 0.05, implying that there was no significant

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Jane Wambui Kiragu et al.: Growth Performance of Moringa oleifera Planting Materials Derived from Cuttings and Seeds

difference between the two means at 5 % level of

significance.
Between Treatments 2 and 3, computed P - Value =
0.7057 > 0.05, implying that there was no significant
difference between the two means at 5 % level of
significance

Treatment 2- watered once a day; Treatment.3- watered once

on alternative days) it showed that the height growth was
almost the same, hence no significant difference (Figure 3).
Figure 3 seedlings planted outside the mean height growth
was almost the same for all the treatments.

3.2. Growth Performance under Normal

(Outside) Conditions

Since computed value of F = 0.10 with P - value = 0.9078 >

0.05, it is concluded that these differences were not
significant at 5 % level of significance.

3.2.1. Seedling Height Growth

3.2.2. Root Collar Diameter

Seedlings planted under normal conditions (14-16C) and

watered once a day at the 25th week.Mean height growth for
all seedlings planted outside showed a steady increase. There
was no significant difference between the treatments and
their controls. The seedlings did not attain the 30 cm. height
at the end of the experiment for all the treatments.

Root collar diameter growth for treatment 1 and its control

were almost the same. For treatment 2, the control was higher,
while for treatment 3 they were almost the same. There were
no significant difference between the treatments and their
controls. Also when all the treatments were compared, they
showed no difference in their root collar diameter growth
(Figure 4).

When the mean height growth was compared between the

three treatments (Treatment. 1- watered twice a day;

Figure 4. Mean Root Collar Diameter for the 3 Treatments under Normal Conditions.

Figure 4 seedlings planted outside, the mean root collar

diameter growth was almost the same for all the treatments
Since computed value of F = 0.12 with P - value = 0.8892 >
0.05, it was concluded that these differences were not
significant at 5 % level of significance (Appendix 28).
Using the Duncans multiple range test to separate the means,
it was found that:
Between Treatments 1 and 2, computed P - Value =
0.8113 > 0.05, implying that there was no significant
difference between the two means at 5 % level of
significance.
Between Treatments 1 and 3, computed P - Value =
0.6292 > 0.05, implying that there was no significant
difference between the two means at 5 % level of
significance.
Between Treatments 2 and 3, computed P - Value =

0.8069 > 0.05, implying that there was no significant

difference between the two means at 5 % level of
significance.
3.3. Comparing Growth under Greenhouse
and Outside (Normal Conditions)
3.3.1. Mean Height
There was significant difference between the seedlings grown
in the greenhouse and those grown outside for all the
treatments. Those in the greenhouse had higher mean height
growth than those grown outside. Seedlings watered twice a
day, the mean height growth was higher for thoseplanted in
the greenhouse than those planted outside.Since computed
value of F = 69.38 with p-value = <0.0001 < 0.05, it is
concluded that this difference is highly significant at 5 %
level of significance.
Seedlings watered once a day, the mean height growth was
higher for thoseplanted in the greenhouse than those planted

International Journal of Plant Science and Ecology Vol. 1, No. 4, 2015, pp. 142-148

outside. Since computed value of F = 68.94 with p-value =

<0.0001 < 0.05, it is concluded thatthis difference is highly
significant at 5 % level of significance.

147

4.2. Effect of Watering Frequency

Seedlings watered once on alternative days, the mean height

growth was higherfor those planted in the greenhouse than
those planted outside. Since computed value of F = 73.26
with p-value = <0.0001 < 0.05, it is concluded thatthis
difference is highly significant at 5 % level of significance.

The three watering regimes used i.e. twice a day (Treatment.

1), once a day (Treatment.2) and once on alternative days
(Treatment. 3), did not show any significant difference in the
growth and survival of the seedlings and clones in the
greenhouse or outside. Thus watering is not the cause of high
mortality of Moringa oleifera seedlings after germination in
the nurseries.

3.3.2. Root Collar Diameter

4.3. Growth Performance Among Seedlings

Seedlings in the greenhouse showed higher root collar

diameter growth in all the treatments as compared to those
grown
outside.
The
difference
was
highly
significant.Seedlings watered twice a day, the mean collar
diameter growth was higher for those planted in the
greenhouse than those planted outside.Since computed value
of F = 16.69 with p-value =0.0002 < 0.05, it is concluded that
this difference is highly significant at 5 % level of
significance.
Seedlings watered once a day, the mean collar diameter
growth was higher for those planted in the greenhouse than
those planted outside.Since computed value of F = 17.42
with p-value = 0.0001 < 0.05, it is concluded that this
difference is highly significant at 5 % level of significance.
Seedlings watered once on alternative days, the mean collar
diameter growth was higher for those planted in the
greenhouse than those planted outside.Since computed value
of F = 20.69 with p-value = <0.0001 < 0.05, it is concluded
that this difference is highly significant at 5 % level of
significance.

4. Discussion
4.1. Effect of Propagation Method
The raising of Moringa oleifera through seeds and cuttings
showed that seeds had better performance than cuttings, both
in the greenhouse and outside. In addition, cuttings of all
diameter classes studied planted outside did not sprout. In the
greenhouse, those in diameter class 1 and those only watered
twice a day had 5.8 % survival at the end of the experiment.
In diameter class 2, survival ranged from 5 % to 35 % and
diameter class 3, survival ranged from 5 % to 15 % at the end
of the experiment.
The low survival of cuttings in this study could be due the
fact that roots did not seem to develop fast enough to start
providing nutrients to the cuttings from the soil. Even those
cuttings that survived did not have well developed roots at
the end of the experiment. This study thus shows that
seedlings from seeds were better performers than the cuttings
both in the greenhouse and outside.

The mean height and mean root collar diameter of the

seedlings in the greenhouse and outside did not show
significant differences in their growth, when subjected to
similar treatments. Also the growths showed no significant
difference when each treatment was compared with its
control. This showed that the diameter and height growths
were not affected by the different watering regimes.
When height and diameter growths of seedlings in the
greenhouse and outside, of each treatment were compared,
they all showed significant differences. The greenhouse
seedlings had higher growth than those outside. This could be
associated with the difference in temperatures, thus
indicating that high temperatures results in better
performance for Moringa oleifera. Moringa oleifera is an
ASAL species, and therefore it requires high temperatures to
grow well.
4.4. Growth Performance Among Clones
Temperatures affected the growth of cuttings as no cutting
(0 %) in the three diameter classes sprouted, for those
cuttings planted under normal conditions (14-16 C). Higher
temperatures (18-20 C) favoured the growth of the cuttings
as those in the greenhouse sprouted, although the survival
percent was low (0 % - 35 %). The diameter size also showed
some effect in the growth performance. The bigger diameter
cuttings continued growing for a longer time after sprouting,
while those with smaller diameters either sprouted and later
died or did not sprout at all.

5. Conclusion
Moringa oleifera propagation by seeds or clones is not
affected by the watering frequencies as the three watering
regimes used did not show any significant differences in their
growth performance and survival. Raising Moringa oleifera
through seeds had better results than using the cuttings for
both temperature regimes (14-16C, 18-20C).Growth
performance of Moringa oleifera, especially on height and
diameter growth was better in temperatures 18-20 C than in
temperatures 14-16 C. This was seen in the seedlings and

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Jane Wambui Kiragu et al.: Growth Performance of Moringa oleifera Planting Materials Derived from Cuttings and Seeds

cutting raised in the greenhouse which performed better than

those under normal conditions.If cuttings are to be used in
the propagation of Moringa oleifera, 14 mm- 16 mm
diameter class cuttings would yield better results. This is due
to the fact that larger diameter cuttings can continue
supporting the sprouting branches before proper root
development is achieved, to enable the cuttings utilizing the
nutrients in the soil.

Recommendations

[5]

Fuglie, L. J. (2005). The Moringa Tree.A local solution to

malnutrition
http://www.moringa
news.
org/documents/Nutrition. pdf (http://www. Moringa news.
org/documents/Nutrition. pdf)(Accessed: 2 July 2009).

[6]

Khan, T. I., Dular, A. K., & Solomon, D. M.

(2003).Biodiversity conservation in the Thar Desert; with
emphasis on endemic and medicinal plants.Environmentalist,
23(2), 137-144.

[7]

Lewis, W. H. (2003). Pharmaceutical discoveries based on

ethnomedicinal plants: 1985 to 2000 and beyond. Economic
Botany, 57(1), 126-134.

[8]

Lund, H. G. (2006). Definitions of forest, deforestation,

afforestation, and reforestation.Forest Information Services.

[9]

Maxon, R. M., &Ofcansky, T. P. (2014).Historical dictionary

of Kenya.Rowman& Littlefield.

The following recommendations can be made: Moringa oleifera planting material should be done in the
green house as faster growth and better results are realized.
Propagation through seed is still the better alternative for
Moringa oleifera species.

[10] Muhl, Q. E. (2009). Seed germination, tree growth and

flowering responses of Moringa oleifera lam.(horseradish tree)
to temperature (Doctoral dissertation, University of Pretoria).

More research should be done by transplanting greenhouse

and outside (normal conditions) seedlings into the field, so
as to assess their performance and therefore determine
whether the shoot: root ratio affects their growth and
survival in the field.

[11] Osundwa, M. A., Okalebo, J. R., Ngetich, W. K., Ochuodho, J.

O., Othieno, C. O., Langat, B., &Omenyo, V. S. (2013).
Influence of Agricultural Lime on Soil Properties and Wheat
(Triticum aestivum L.) Yield on Acidic Soils of Uasin Gishu
County, Kenya. American Journal of Experimental
Agriculture, 3(4), 806-823.

Different lengths of cuttings should be tried to determine

the appropriate lengths and more time needed for the
cutting to fully develop their roots.

[12] Paliwal, R., & Sharma, V. (2011). A review on horse radish

tree (Moringa oleifera): A multipurpose tree with high
economic and commercial importance. Asian journal of
Biotechnology, (Volume 3), 317-328.

References

[13] Phiri, C., &Mbewe, D. N. (2010). Influence of Moringa

oleifera leaf extracts on germination and seedling survival of
three common legumes. Int J AgricBiol, 12, 315-317.

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Anwar, F., Latif, S., Ashraf, M., &Gilani, A. H.

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[14] Ramachandra, N., &Thapliyal, R. (1995). Seed Technology: A

Challenge for Forestry. Advances in Forestry Research in
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[2]

Baskin, C. C. (2001). Seeds: ecology, biogeography, and

evolution of dormancy and germination. Elsevier.

[3]

Baskin, J. M., & Baskin, C. C. (2004).A classification system

for seed dormancy.Seed science research, 14(01), 1-16.

[15] Tsaknis, J., Lalas, S., Gergis, V., Dourtoglou, V., &Spiliotis, V.
(1999). Characterization of Moringaoleifera variety Mbololo
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[4]

Desai, B. B. (2004). Seeds handbook: Processing and storage.

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