Effects of organic amendments and shading on the early growth of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> (Lam.) seedlings in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Effect of organic amendments (Bagasse, Rice hull, Sawdust and Control) and shade was investigated on the early growth of Moringa oleifera (Lam). The experiment was 3 x 4 factorial experiment laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design, (RCBD). The organic amendments were mixed with top soil and river sand, and filled into polythene pots and arranged under varying light regimes, with each replicated five times. Data on early growth variables (seedling height, stem girth and number of leaves) were collected for six weeks after germination and were analysed, using two-way analysis of variance. The result on seedlings heights shows that the soil treated with sugarcane bagasse under partial shade had the highest mean of 31.4 cm, while the ANOVA revealed a significant effect (P< 0.05) on both the light regime and the amendments on the seedlings height. For the seedling girth, rice hull under the shade has the highest mean of 1.17mm, while, the ANOVA conducted shows significant difference (P< 0.05). Also, the soil treated with bagasse under partial shade the highest mean number of leaves (7), while the result on ANOVA shows a significant effect (P< 0.05) on the early growth of the seedlings. The finding shows that Moringa oleifera at its early stage requires partial shade and soil amendments as a supplement for water percolation and nutrient uptake for growth.